Butterfly was tired of Anansi's tricks. He wanted revenge, so he hid in Anansi's basket.
When Anansi got home and opened the basket, Butterfly flew out and landed on Anansi's son's head.
"Stand still!" Anansi shouted. "Don't move!"
Anansi hit his son on the head and killed him, but not Butterfly.
Then Butterfly flew on Anansi's wife's head.
"Don't move!"
Anansi hit her on the head and killed her too, but not Butterfly.
Then Butterfly landed on Anansi's head, so Anansi ran to the roof and threw himself down headfirst.
Anansi killed himself, but not Butterfly.
Butterfly flew away, laughing.
Inspired by: Jamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith
Notes: This is story 34 in the book. Beckwith heard this story from Richard Morgan; additional information in Beckwith's notes. The story contains the tale of how Anansi tricked Butterfly out of his food, and also how Butterfly snuck into Anansi's house; I just used the final part of the story. Also, Anansi has three children in the story; I just included one.
At least Anansi has finally been punished for his tricks, even if it did take another trick to do it!
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