~ 61. Cunning-More-Than-Father and the Coconuts ~


Anansi wanted to kill his son Cunning-More-Than-Father.
Cunning-More-Than-Father had gotten away twice, but Anansi said to Tiger, "Let's try again!"
Cunning-More-Than-Father pretended to be asleep, but he listened.
"I'll send Cunning-More-Than-Father up the coconut-tree," Anansi told Tiger. "You catch him when he comes down."
So Cunning-More-Than-Father filled a bag with stinging ants and hid it in the tree.
Next day Anansi said, "Son, go get coconuts."
Cunning-More-Than-Father went up the coconut-tree.
Tiger came and waited below.
"Catch the coconuts, Tiger!" yelled Cunning-More-Than-Father, and he threw the bag of ants on Tiger.
Tiger screamed and ran away.
Cunning-More-Than-Father had survived again.


Inspired byJamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith
Notes: This is story 23 in the book. Beckwith heard this story from George Parkes; additional information in Beckwith's notes. The story is composed of several different episodes; this is just one episode.


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