~ 123. Anansi and the Barrel of Eggs ~

Laura Gibbs · 123. Anansi and the Barrel of Eggs

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Anansi fell in the river, and the Fish found him. They took him to their home.

There was a barrel of eggs in their kitchen.

In the night, Anansi ate the eggs; he only left one.

In the morning, the Fish-Mother said, "Children, bring me the eggs to count."

"Let the Fish-Children sleep," said Anansi. "I'll bring the eggs."

So Anansi brought one egg, and she marked it with ash.

"Bring another," she said.

Anansi wiped off the ash-mark and brought the same egg again.

When the Fish-Mother was done counting she said, "Thank you, Anansi! You're a good helper."

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Inspired by: Jamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith
Notes: This is story 39 in the book. Beckwith heard this story from Mrs. Ramtalli; additional information in Beckwith's notes. Anansi ended up in the river because Dove abandoned him there: Anansi and the Dove's Wings. When Anansi first meets the Fish, he convinces them they are cousins by eating hot porridge, but I left that part out. Sherlock tells this story about Anansi and the alligator: "Anansi and the Alligator Eggs."