~ 35. Anansi Owes Monkey Money ~

Laura Gibbs · 35. When Monkey Beat Anansi

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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.

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Inspired by: Jamaica 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.