~ 35. Anansi Owes Monkey Money ~


Anansi owed Monkey money, but couldn't pay, so Monkey whipped Anansi.
The next day Monkey came and whipped Anansi again.
Anansi told his mother, "Build a fire, put me in a pot, and hide me in the ashes."
But Monkey was a witch who saw hidden things, and he found Anansi in the ashes. He whipped Anansi again.
Another witch gave Anansi a magic rope.
Anansi climbed the magic rope. 
Monkey climbed up the rope after him.
Anansi yelled, "Rope: be cut!" 
Monkey fell down and broke his neck.
Then Anansi yelled, "Rope: be tied!" and he climbed down safely.


Inspired byJamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith
Notes: This is story 137 in the book. Beckwith heard this story from Richard Morgan; additional information in Beckwith's notes, although I am not sure the parallel she cites is the best parallel. This reminds me more of a "cutta cord-la" type of story. For more about the obeah tradition, see Wikipedia. I added the commands that Anansi gives to make the rope do its work. 


3 comments:

  1. I'm so relieved that the monkey died and so couldn't whip Anansi any more!

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  2. Anansi deserved to be whipped because he was cheating Monkey. Monkey didn't deserve to die because he was honest. Justice for Monkey!

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    Replies
    1. Monkey deserved to die for whipping Anansi who is the hero of the stories.

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