Anansi and the Turtle

10 pages · 3 min · ages 5+

Based on: West African Folk Tale

Anansi the spider was very clever. He cooked a big pot of yams. The smell was sweet and warm. Anansi wanted to eat it all. He did not want to share. Then, Turtle walked by his door. Turtle was very tired and hungry. He smelled the delicious hot food.

Anansi smiled a very big smile. "Come in and eat," he said. Turtle sat down at the table. He reached for a tasty yam. "Wait!" cried Anansi with a jump. "Your hands are very dusty." Turtle looked at his brown paws. He walked slowly to the river.

Turtle washed his hands very well. He walked back on the dirt. His feet got dusty again. He sat back at the table. "Oh no!" Anansi said loudly. "Your hands are still dirty." Turtle went back to the river. Anansi ate all the food quickly.

Turtle was still a hungry fellow. He thought of a funny plan. He invited Anansi for a feast. "Come to the river," Turtle said. "Dinner is served under the water." Anansi was excited for a party. He jumped into the blue river. The water was deep and cool.

Anansi tried to swim deep down. He was too light and fluffy. He popped back to the surface. He could see the food below. The table was full of fruit. Turtle was waiting at the bottom. Anansi bobbed up like a ball. He could not reach the meal.

Anansi had a very smart idea. He found many heavy grey rocks. He put them in his pockets. He jumped back into the water. The rocks made him sink down. Now he reached the sandy bottom. He sat right next to Turtle. The food looked very yummy there.

Turtle looked at Anansi's big coat. "Please take off your jacket," Turtle said. "It is rude to wear it." Anansi forgot about the heavy rocks. He took off his green coat. He shot up like a rocket. He floated to the top again. Turtle giggled at the silly spider.

Anansi splashed at the sunny surface. He looked down at his friend. Turtle looked up at the spider. They both started to laugh loudly. They saw their funny little tricks. "We are both very silly," Anansi said. Turtle swam up to the bank. They sat together on the grass.

They found a brand new pot. They gathered many sweet red berries. They found some yellow corn together. They cooked a big happy feast. They worked as a great team. The sun was warm and bright. The food smelled better than before. They were ready to eat now.

Anansi gave Turtle half the food. Turtle gave Anansi the other half. They ate until they were full. Sharing made the food taste great. They were very happy best friends. They played games in the sun. It was a very lovely day. They will share again very soon.