Anansi, Tiger, and Parrot all changed their names: Anansi was Che-che-bun-da, Tiger was Yellow-prissenda, and Parrot was Green-corn-ero. If someone's mother didn't use the new name, they would eat her!
When Tiger's mother forgot to say "Yellow-prissenda," they ate her.
That night Anansi went secretly to his mother. "Remember: I'm Che-che-bun-da!" he said.
The next day Parrot's mother forgot to say "Green-corn-ero" and they ate her.
That night, Anansi went to his mother again. "Hello, Anansi!" she said.
"No! I'm Che-che-bun-da! Che-che-bun-da!"
The next day they went to Anansi's mother.
"Hello, Che-che-bun-da!" she said.
So they didn't eat Anansi's mother.
Inspired by: Jamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith
Notes: This is story 14 in the book. Beckwith heard this story from Samuel Christie; additional information in Beckwith's notes. In the original it was Tacoomah as one of the friends also, but I shortened it by leaving him out. Here are Pamela Colman Smith's illustrations:
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