West Africa · Akan · an Akan town in West Africa
The heroes of this story.
Never misses anything. Watches the pot swing, says "Tie it behind you, Papa" — and from the broken pot, becomes the small one who tells.
Ties all the world's wisdom in front of him, climbs, slips, and is outwitted gracefully — then spins the day into his web. Never speaks, in any form.
Keeps pounding the yam — mothers see everything first. Teaches the gum-doll trap: the cleverest plans come from the quietest voice.
Flies forward, always forward, head turned back — carrying the precious egg: what we carry from the past.
Anansi decides all the wisdom in the world should be kept where he can see it, and climbs the great tree with the pot tied in front — slipping every time. His small son Ntikuma watches and says, "Tie it behind you, Papa." The pot breaks, and all the wisdom in the world rains down over everyone — a little into each. Ntikuma keeps the cracked pot: through the crack, the light keeps leaking out. "Wisdom belongs to everyone," he says, "or it breaks."
Free coloring pages from this book · how-to-draw the friends · watch the episode on YouTube.
