Anansi and the Wisdom of the World – West Africa (Original Version)

Once upon a time, in a lush and vibrant village in West Africa, there lived a cunning spider named Anansi. Anansi had a reputation for being clever and sly, often finding ways to get what he wanted through trickery and wit.

One day, Anansi decided that he wanted to possess all the wisdom in the world. He believed that if he could gather all the knowledge, he would be the wisest and most powerful creature of all. So, Anansi set out on a journey to collect wisdom from every corner of the earth.

As he traveled from village to village, Anansi gathered bits of wisdom from elders, scholars, and storytellers. He collected proverbs, stories, and secrets, storing them all in a large gourd that he carried on his back.

Feeling proud of his collection, Anansi decided it was time to hide his gourd of wisdom where no one else could find it. He chose a tall, sturdy tree to hang the gourd from, believing that it would be safe there.

Anansi tied a rope around the gourd and attempted to climb the tree while holding it in front of him. But as he climbed, the gourd kept getting in his way, making it difficult for him to ascend. Frustrated, he tried again and again, but each time the gourd obstructed his path.

Meanwhile, Anansi’s young son, who had been watching from a distance, approached and offered a suggestion. “Father,” he said, “why don’t you tie the gourd to your back? That way, it won’t get in your way as you climb.”

Anansi paused and considered his son’s advice. With a nod, he tied the gourd to his back and easily climbed to the top of the tree. As he sat on a branch, he realized the irony of the situation: despite possessing all the wisdom in the world, he had been outsmarted by his own son, who had none of it.

Embarrassed and humbled by the experience, Anansi decided that wisdom should not be hoarded by one individual but shared with everyone. He untied the gourd and poured its contents into the wind, allowing the wisdom to scatter across the land.

From that day on, wisdom was shared among all creatures, and Anansi learned that true strength lies not in keeping knowledge to oneself but in sharing it with others.

And so, the tale of Anansi the Spider and the wisdom of the world became a cherished story, reminding everyone of the value of humility and the importance of sharing what we know.

The End.