~ 151. Anansi and the Peanut-Patch ~


The master put a guard by his peanut-patch. 
The guard was a fool who couldn't read, so Anansi found a piece of paper and took it to the guard.
"I can't read that!" he said.
Anansi laughed. "It says: The master commands you to let Anansi go in."
Then the guard let Anansi go in, and Anansi ate all the peanuts.
Next, the master came. "Who ate all the peanuts?" he shouted.
"I let Anansi in," said the guard, "just like you told me."
The master beat the guard. "Don't you listen to that lying Anansi ever again!" he said.


Inspired byJamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith
Notes: This is story 2b in the book. Beckwith heard this story from George Parkes; additional information in Beckwith's notes. The story goes on to explain how Anansi tricked the guard again until the master finally got the guard to catch Anansi; this is what happened next: Anansi's Knife and Fork.


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