ANANSE THE TEACHER: Life Lesson

Once upon a time in the animal kingdom, Ananse was a professor. Crocodile was his bosom friend. Ananse was invited to have dinner at crocodile’s residence one evening. Right after the meal crocodile discussed with Ananse about the teaching of crocodile’s ten children to also become professors. Ananse welcomed this initiative with happiness.

He assured crocodile that for the sake of their friendship he was going to teach the kids the best way possible. This made crocodile very happy. He then assured Ananse that he was going to give him everything he needed to teach the children properly. Right after the discussion Ananse left for his home.

The next day Ananse was at home waiting for crocodile’s children to come for the teachings to begin just as was discussed between him and crocodile. In no time they arrived. Lesson begun. After a couple of hours Ananse closed them to go and come back the next day. As they were about leaving Ananse called the elderly one to come back.

He convinced the others to go and also told them that he wanted the elderly one to help him with something after which he’ll personally walk him home. They agreed and went away. Ananse killed him and his wife prepared a sumptuous meal with it and ate.

Crocodile accompanied by his remaining nine children came to Ananse the following day to enquire about the whereabouts of his elderly child. Ananse was in shock. Ananse expressed frustration about what he was told. He assured crocodile that he had escorted the boy to the house but half way through the journey he had a stomach upset which forced him to return back home.

He added that maybe he’s out there playing so hopefully he’ll come home. Crocodile agreed with Ananse to an extent. He pleaded with Ananse to please take care of the kids whenever they involve themselves to learn. He left right away leaving behind his children to learn.

Ananse continuously killed crocodile’s children one after the other. Poor crocodile didn’t take the situation lightly at all so he decided to visit Ananse one afternoon to enquire from him whether he has any news about his children. In no time crocodile and his wife arrived at Ananse’s residence.

Ananse welcomed them and offered them a place to sit and water to drink which they accepted. In the course of the discussion, crocodile’s wife decided to go help Ananse’s wife in the kitchen and to her surprise she saw one of her children who was being used to prepare soup after it was killed.

Out of anger she killed Ananse’s wife on the spot. She run out quickly and informed her husband about what she had seen. Crocodile became very furious and decided to kill Ananse. Ananse pleaded and pleaded but crocodile totally ignored his plea.

Ananse realizing how serious things had become, he made a run away. Crocodile run after him. Ananse run and run till he had nowhere to go so he decided to hide himself in a web.

For the fear of being caught by crocodile ,Ananse remained in the web forever.

This is the reason why Ananse is always in a web.