Long ago, when the world was still young and the forests were deep and full of secrets, there was only one wise being in all the world: Kwaku Ananse the spider. His web of cunning and cleverness was unmatched, and all creatures looked to him for guidance. Yet, Ananse was not only wise he was greedy. He wished to keep all the world’s wisdom to himself, unwilling to share even a thread of it with anyone else.
One day, weary of guarding all this wisdom and tired of being asked for advice, Ananse decided to hide it away in a safe, secret place. He called to his patient wife, Aso, and asked her to craft a large pot into which he could store every bit of wisdom he possessed.
Aso, ever clever and diligent, went down to the riverbank and collected clay. Carefully, she shaped it into a magnificent pot, wide enough to hold all the knowledge in the world yet narrow at the top so that it could be sealed tightly. She baked the pot in the sun until it was hard and strong, and from the leftover clay fashioned a stopper to close it.
When the pot was ready, Aso presented it to Ananse. Satisfied that there were no cracks through which his precious wisdom could escape, he pushed the wisdom deep into the pot. He covered it with cocoa-yam leaves, inserted the stopper, and tied it securely with strong twine.
The Journey to the Great Silk-Cotton Tree
Kwaku Ananse decided that the pot must be hidden far from prying eyes, in the branches of the tallest silk-cotton tree in the forest. This tree was massive its trunk over ten feet wide and its bark covered in sharp spikes that would challenge even the bravest climber.
Carrying the pot in front of him, Ananse set out on his journey, unaware that his small son, Ntikuma, followed quietly behind, curious and cautious. He reached the giant tree and attempted to climb, suspending the pot by a rope around his neck so that the stopper remained just below his nose. This way, he could ensure it did not tip over.
But try as he might, Ananse could not climb. The pot blocked his arms and made it impossible to grip the trunk. He huffed and puffed, his legs slipping, his hands sticky with sweat. The forest echoed with his muttered curses and grumbles as he struggled again and again.
Ntikuma’s Clever Advice
From behind a nearby tree, Ntikuma watched, puzzled but patient. Finally, seeing his father’s growing frustration, he approached cautiously.
“Father,” he said softly, “if you tie the pot to your back instead of in front, your hands will be free. Then you can climb the tree easily.”
Ananse’s pride flared. How could this small child give him advice on something he, the wisest creature in the world, could not figure out himself? Shaking with anger and exhaustion, he tried to take the pot off to scold his son. But his sweaty fingers could not hold it. The great clay pot slipped, fell, and crashed to the forest floor.
With a mighty crash, the pot shattered, and all its precious contents scattered across the land. The storm gathered suddenly, wind blowing through the forest and carrying fragments of wisdom far and wide. Rain poured down, sweeping the scattered knowledge into streams and rivers, which carried it into the sea.
Thus, wisdom spread throughout the world, touching every human, animal, and plant in ways Kwaku Ananse could never have imagined.
Ananse’s Realization
Furious, Ananse chased after his son through the pouring rain, blaming him for the loss. But deep in his heart, he realized a bitter truth: what is the use of wisdom if even his young son could give better advice than he?
From that day on, Kwaku Ananse continued to be clever and cunning, but he no longer hoarded all the knowledge for himself. He had learned that wisdom, once shared, becomes far more powerful and far-reaching than even the smartest spider could keep alone.
Moral of the Story
This story teaches that knowledge is meant to be shared. Greed and hoarding may seem powerful at first, but wisdom truly grows when it is spread and used to help others. Even the cleverest among us can learn from the insight of the young and humble.
Knowledge Check
- Who was the only wise being in the world at the beginning of the story?
Kwaku Ananse the spider. - Why did Ananse want to hide all the wisdom in a pot?
Because he was greedy and wanted to keep all knowledge for himself. - Who helped Ananse make the pot?
His wife, Aso, who crafted the pot from clay and baked it in the sun. - How did Ntikuma, Ananse’s son, influence the story?
He suggested tying the pot to Ananse’s back so he could climb, which led to the pot breaking and wisdom being scattered. - How did wisdom spread throughout the world?
The pot broke, and the wind, rain, and rivers carried fragments of wisdom to humans and animals everywhere. - What is the moral lesson of this Ananse folktale?
Wisdom is meant to be shared, not hoarded; true insight grows when knowledge is spread.
Cultural Origin
This story comes from Ghanaian folklore, particularly the Akan tradition, where Kwaku Ananse is a central figure teaching lessons about wisdom, cunning, and humility.
