Kweku Ananse & His Wife

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep within the lush forests of West Africa, lived a cunning and mischievous spider named Kweku Anansi. Anansi was known far and wide for his cleverness and quick thinking, but also for his insatiable greed.

One day, as Anansi sat in his humble abode, he couldn't help but grumble about his wife, Nana Afia. "She's nothing more than an extra mouth to feed," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in frustration. "Always eating my share of the food at home."

Fueled by his discontent, Anansi decided to take his grievances to the highest authority he could think of: God himself. So, with determination in his heart, Anansi set off on a journey to the heavens to plead his case.

Upon reaching the gates of heaven, Anansi presented his complaints to God, hoping for a swift solution to his predicament. "God, please give me a wife with no mouth upon her face," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

God, ever patient and wise, regarded Anansi with amusement. This spider never failed to surprise him with his outlandish requests and schemes. "Very well," God replied with a knowing smile. "Come the morning, I shall grant your wish."

Ecstatic at the prospect of having all the food to himself, Anansi rushed to the nearest market to stock up on yams and plantains, eagerly anticipating the arrival of his new wife.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, and Anansi eagerly awaited the manifestation of his new spouse. To his delight, he found her in the kitchen, silently preparing breakfast with a nod of acknowledgment as he entered.

Over the following days, Anansi reveled in the bliss of having a wife who consumed nothing, leaving all the food for him to enjoy. However, his joy soon turned to bewilderment when he discovered that their provisions were mysteriously depleting at an alarming rate.

Perplexed by this apparent anomaly, Anansi embarked on a mission to uncover the truth. Despite his vigilant surveillance, he could find no evidence of foul play. His wife dutifully cooked for him, and yet the food continued to vanish without explanation.

It was only one fateful night, as Anansi awoke parched and ventured into the kitchen for a drink, that he stumbled upon the shocking truth. Peering through the darkness, he beheld his wife seated at the table, voraciously devouring a hearty meal with her armpit serving as a clandestine mouth.

Shocked and dismayed by this revelation, Anansi realized the folly of his greed and selfishness. The very qualities that had led him to seek a new wife had ultimately led to his downfall.

With a heavy heart, Anansi returned to God, humbled by the lesson he had learned. God, in his infinite wisdom, gently chastised Anansi for his folly and reminded him of the importance of humility and compassion.

Deeply repentant, Anansi begged for forgiveness and pleaded for the return of his old wife, vowing to mend his selfish ways and embrace a life of generosity and kindness.

And so, with a newfound sense of humility and gratitude, Anansi embarked on a journey of self-discovery and redemption, determined to live a life worthy of God's grace. And as he looked to the future, he knew that he would never again succumb to the pitfalls of greed and selfishness. For he had learned, albeit through trial and tribulation, that true happiness lies not in abundance, but in the warmth of love and the richness of a generous heart.