In West African folklore, Anansi the Spider is known for his cleverness, tricks, and love for outsmarting others. But sometimes, even the cleverest can be caught by their own foolishness. This is one such tale—a story about money, wisdom, and the power of planning ahead.
The Bag of Cowries
Long ago, in a village near the great forest, cowrie shells were the treasure everyone valued. They were used to trade for food, cloth, and all the necessities of life.
One bright morning, Anansi the Spider entered a contest hosted by the village chief. The challenge was simple: tell the cleverest story, one that would make the whole crowd laugh and think at the same time.
Of course, Anansi’s tongue was quick, and his wit was sharp. His tale had the villagers rolling in laughter and nodding in amazement. The chief, impressed, awarded him the prize—a whole bag of shiny cowrie shells.
“Oh, fortune smiles on me today!” Anansi shouted. He danced in circles, showing off his prize.
His friend, the slow and steady Tortoise, clapped politely. “Congratulations, Anansi. What will you do with such wealth?”
“Do with it?” Anansi grinned. “Why, I shall spend it! Feasts, music, palm wine, and roasted yam! Let the village know that Anansi is the richest and most generous spider!”
Tortoise tilted his head. “Perhaps save some for tomorrow. Wealth, like rainwater, can vanish quickly.”
But Anansi only laughed. “Save? Tortoise, you walk too slowly even with your thoughts. Life is to be enjoyed today!”
The Feasts of Anansi
And so, Anansi began to spend.
That very evening, he hosted a grand feast. He hired drummers, bought baskets of food, and invited everyone to eat. The villagers sang his praises: “Anansi is generous! Anansi is rich!”
The next day, another feast followed, with dancers, roasted goat, and sweet drinks. Again, the village gathered, cheering Anansi’s name.
Day after day, the shells disappeared. Anansi loved the sound of praise so much that he hardly noticed the bag growing lighter.
Meanwhile, Tortoise took the few shells he earned from farming and quietly tucked some away each day. He bought only what he needed, saving the rest. “Little by little fills the pot,” he whispered to himself as he buried the cowries in a clay jar under his hut.
The Famine Arrives
Weeks passed. Then, without warning, the skies grew hot and dry. The rains refused to come. The yam fields cracked, the rivers shrank, and hunger crept into the village.
The villagers who had saved some food managed to get by, but many struggled.
Anansi, who had spent every last shell, found his belly growling. He searched his house—empty. He searched his bag—nothing but dust.
“Oh no!” he cried. “All my wealth is gone, and the famine has arrived!”
Desperate, he knocked on the door of Tortoise. “Friend, surely you will help me. I gave you feasts and joy; now I am hungry.”
Tortoise looked at him kindly. “Yes, Anansi, you did host feasts, but I warned you to save. While you were spending, I was planning. I have food stored, and I will share—but remember, next time, wisdom is richer than wealth itself.”
Tortoise brought out baskets of grain and yams from his storehouse. He not only fed Anansi but also shared with the village. The people saw that while Anansi’s generosity had lasted a week, Tortoise’s wisdom sustained them through the famine.
The Lesson Learned
Ashamed and humbled, Anansi sighed. “You are right, Tortoise. I thought being rich meant spending, but true wealth comes from saving and planning.”
From that day forward, Anansi learned to tuck away a few shells whenever fortune smiled on him. And though he still played tricks now and then, he never forgot the famine that taught him the value of wisdom with money.
What Kids Can Learn
This folktale, like many from West Africa, carries a timeless truth. Money can disappear quickly if we use it only for pleasure, but saving—even a little at a time—brings security when hard times come.
Here are three lessons children (and adults) can take from Anansi and Tortoise’s story:
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Don’t spend everything at once. Enjoy life, yes, but keep some aside for later.
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Plan for the unexpected. Just like famine came without warning, challenges in life can appear suddenly.
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Wisdom is greater than wealth. Riches vanish, but wise habits last a lifetime.
Reflection Questions for Kids
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Why did Anansi run out of food during the famine?
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What did Tortoise do differently with his cowrie shells?
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If you had a bag of cowries, what would you save and what would you spend?
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How do you think Anansi felt when he had to ask Tortoise for help?
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What can you do today to start saving, even in a small way?
A Simple Activity
Give children ten small objects (beans, buttons, or coins). Ask them to “spend” some on imaginary fun things (toys, sweets, games) but save at least three in a jar. Then explain: “Just like Tortoise, if you save, you’ll always have something left for later.”
✨ Moral of the Story:
Saving and planning bring security.
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