Anansi

Anansi, in his spider form, allegedly sought to store all of the world's learning in a jar for himself. When he was successful, he sought to conceal the pot in the top of the tree, out of sight. He secured the jar in front of him, then attempted to climb that tree, but slipped and lost his grasp.

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His son, the one who had accompanied him, recommended he strap the jar to his back to facilitate climbing. When Anansi attempted to carry out his son's idea, the jar tumbled to the ground. The knowledge dropped out, and a violent rainfall carried it into the stream and then into the ocean, where it is now owned by everyone on the planet.

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Anansi was a highly intelligent but naughty (troublesome) deity who was transformed into a black spider by his dad Nyame for refusing to give up his wicked ways. Anansi tales are often amusing and teach us valuable lessons about the repercussions of poor decisions and that it would be better to be wise than powerful.

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Origin: Mythology of West Africa

Other name of the tale: The Spider Trickster