Story Summary
Explore the classic trickster tale Anansi Goes Fishing. Discover how the clever spider's plan to avoid work backfires in this humorous West African folktale.
Anansi the Spider saw Anene the river bird with a basket of delicious fish and grew greedy. He suggested they go fishing together, secretly planning to make Anene do all the labor. However, Anene was wise to Anansi's ways. 'I will weave the net,' Anene offered, 'and you can take the tiredness.' Thinking he was getting the better deal, Anansi cried, 'No! I will weave the net, and you shall take the tiredness!' Throughout the day, Anene sat comfortably on a rock, moaning and groaning as if he were exhausted, while Anansi struggled with the heavy net, the heat, and the water. Every time a task arose, Anene offered to do it, prompting the competitive Anansi to insist on doing the work himself to ensure he wasn't being 'cheated' out of the labor. By the end of the day, Anansi had caught a large haul of fish but was completely spent. Anene then convinced Anansi that the small, rotten fish were the true prizes. Anansi took the bad fish home, leaving the fresh catch for Anene. When Anansi realized he had done all the work for nothing, he understood that he had been the one tricked.
The Moral
Greed and laziness cloud judgment; if you try to trick others into doing your work, you may end up doing it all yourself for no reward.
“No! I will weave the net, and you shall take the tiredness!”
Fun Fact
Anansi is one of the most important characters in West African and Caribbean folklore, often regarded as the God of all stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Anansi Goes Fishing?
The moral is that greed and the desire to avoid work often lead to self-deception. Anansi's attempt to trick Anene results in him doing all the labor while receiving none of the rewards.
Who is Anansi's companion in the fishing story?
In most versions of this West African tale, Anansi goes fishing with Anene, a river bird. Some regional variations may substitute Anene with a turtle or another spider named Osabo.
What does 'taking the tiredness' mean in the story?
It is a psychological trick used by Anene. By pretending that 'resting' is a chore that involves taking on the physical exhaustion of the worker, he tricks the greedy Anansi into wanting to do the physical labor himself.
Why is Anansi depicted as a spider?
In Ashanti folklore, Anansi is a spirit who often takes the shape of a spider. This form represents his role as a 'weaver' of stories and a clever, albeit flawed, trickster who lives by his wits.
What happens to the fish at the end of the story?
Anene tricks Anansi one last time by convincing him that the spoiled, small fish are more valuable. Anansi takes the rotten fish home, while Anene keeps the fresh, delicious catch for himself.
What cultural origin does Anansi have?
Anansi stories originate from the Akan people of Ghana. These tales spread across the Caribbean and the Americas through the African diaspora, becoming a symbol of resistance and survival.
