Long ago, in the time when the world was still young, stories belonged only to the great Sky God. The people had no folktales of their own to share by the fire, no wisdom hidden in fables, and no laughter from trickster tales. Every story, whether of animals, humans, or spirits, rested in the heavens guarded closely by the mighty Sky God.
Down on earth lived Anaanu the Spider. Small, clever, and full of cunning ideas, Anaanu was not as strong as the lion nor as swift as the antelope, but his mind was sharper than a blade. Day after day he watched the people of the villages sit in silence at night. There were no tales to make them laugh, no lessons to guide their children, and no wisdom passed down from elders. The people longed for stories but they could not reach the Sky God.
Anaanu thought to himself, “Why should only the Sky God hold the stories? If I can bring them down to the earth, I will be honored forever and my name will never be forgotten.”
So one bright morning Anaanu spun his strongest web and climbed high into the sky. He climbed until he reached the palace of the Sky God. The god sat on his golden throne, his face stern as thunderclouds.
“What do you want little spider?” the Sky God boomed.
Anaanu bowed low. “Great Sky God, I have come to ask for the stories you keep. I want to buy them so that your children on earth may share them.”
The Sky God roared with laughter. “You? A tiny spider? Do you know how priceless my stories are? Many mighty creatures have asked and all have failed. You cannot pay the price.”
But Anaanu did not tremble. “Tell me the price,” he said, his eight eyes shining with determination.
The Sky God leaned forward and named his conditions. “Bring me three impossible things. First the python who swallows goats. Second the leopard with terrible claws. And third the hornets who sting like fire. Only then will I give you my stories.”
The gods and spirits laughed. Surely a spider could not capture such fearsome creatures. But Anaanu only bowed again and said, “It shall be done.”
The Capture of the Python
Anaanu returned to earth and went to the python’s home. He carried with him a long stick. When he arrived he greeted the python with respect.
“Brother Python,” Anaanu said slyly, “the villagers are arguing about you. They say you are not as long as this stick I carry. I however defended you, saying you are far longer. Would you not prove me right?”
The python, proud and vain, agreed. He stretched himself alongside the stick. Anaanu quickly tied him down with rope from head to tail. The great snake struggled, but it was too late. Laughing, Anaanu carried him off to the Sky God.
The Capture of the Leopard
Next Anaanu went to the leopard’s cave. He dug a deep pit just outside and covered it with leaves and branches. When the leopard returned Anaanu greeted him warmly.
“Brother Leopard,” he said, “I have built a fine trap to catch foolish animals. Surely a hunter as great as you would never fall into it.”
The leopard, curious and proud, wanted to see the trap. He stepped forward and fell straight into the pit. Before the leopard could leap out, Anaanu spun his web across the pit, binding him fast. The leopard roared in anger, but Anaanu only bowed and carried news of his second prize to the Sky God.
The Capture of the Hornets
Finally Anaanu went to the forest where the hornets lived. He carried a calabash filled with water and a hollow gourd. When he reached the tree where the hornets buzzed, he splashed water upon them.
“Oh friends,” Anaanu cried, “see how the rain falls. Come, hide in this gourd until the storm passes.”
The hornets, believing his trick, flew inside the gourd to stay dry. Swiftly Anaanu sealed the opening with clay. With the hornets trapped, he carried them to the Sky God.
Anaanu Wins the Stories
At last Anaanu returned to the sky bringing the python, the leopard, and the hornets. The Sky God was astonished. Never before had such a small creature achieved the impossible.
“You have done what no other has done,” said the Sky God. “From this day forward the stories shall belong to you and to all the people of the earth.”
And so Anaanu carried the stories down from the sky and shared them with the villages. From that day, people gathered around the fires at night to tell tales of wisdom, courage, and laughter. This is why stories are often called Ananse tales or Anaanu stories in Nigerian folklore.
Moral Lesson from Why We Tell Stories About Spider
The story of Anaanu teaches that wisdom and cleverness can succeed where strength alone may fail. It reminds us that determination, creativity, and intelligence are powerful tools for overcoming challenges. The tale also shows why stories belong to the people and why they are shared to guide, to teach, and to bring joy from one generation to the next.
Knowledge Check on Why We Tell Stories About Spider
Who was the keeper of all the stories in the beginning of the tale?
Answer: The Sky God was the keeper of all stories in the beginning.Why did Anaanu the Spider want to bring the stories to the earth?
Answer: Anaanu wanted to bring the stories so people could share wisdom, laugh, and learn from them.What three creatures did the Sky God demand as payment for the stories?
Answer: The Sky God demanded the python, the leopard, and the hornets.How did Anaanu trick the python into being captured?
Answer: Anaanu challenged the python to prove he was longer than a stick and tied him down once he stretched out.What clever trick did Anaanu use to trap the hornets?
Answer: Anaanu poured water on them, pretending it was rain, and convinced them to hide inside a gourd which he sealed.What is the main lesson in Why We Tell Stories About Spider?
Answer: The main lesson is that wisdom, creativity, and determination are greater than strength alone.
Cultural Origin: Nigerian Folktale (Anaanu the Spider)
