THE SPIDER AND THE LION

Based on a tale in the tradition of Anansi the spider, the story-telling trickster of the Ashanti people of Ghana. The hot West African sun beat down as the storyteller spread his bright-coloured robe around him and one of the listeners held an umbrella made of plaited leaves to create a little shade. Behind him was the jungle, ahead of him was the river and beyond that the mountains.

“A story you shall have. But remember always that because I tell it to you does not mean that it ever was true. A spider may be Anansi or it may be a spider. Here is my story.” Fish are good to eat. The smell of fish roasting over the fire was delicious for Spider who had caught them. A speckled guineafowl strayed closer and a timid gazelle sniffed at the air. Then, with a roar, Lion arrived. King of the beasts, he was – but he was also a bully.“Ah, that was good!” said Lion, as he ate one fish after another until they were all gone. Spider could only stand and watch.“What next?” he snarled.The guineafowl clattered its wings and fled. “Now there’s a handsome bird,” remarked Spider. “Beautiful spots on its plumage. Pity that lions don’t have spots like that.” “I want some!” Lion demanded at once.” “You’re clever. Can you fix it?” “Might be a little difficult,” said Spider thoughtfully. “But possible, perhaps, if you use your mighty strength.” “Just tell me what’s needed.” “Two things. First a good-sized cow from a herd somewhere. Then a mahogany tree, a full-grown, thick one.” “Don’t go away,” said Lion. “This is easy.” Spider smiled to himself. It was easy – to trick someone like Lion. Greedy people don’t often think straight. Before long, Lion was back, dragging a bush-cow. “Perfect!” Spider told him. “Now chop it up with your mighty jaws. Oh, well done! Now use your terrible claws to cut its hide into thin strips.” “Enough?” panted Lion. “Almost enough for half the spots you want,” Spider assured him. “But now we need the tree. You must test each mahogany tree by running at it and smashing into it. If it shakes or trembles at its roots, then it’s no use. The tree we need must be rock solid.” So Lion hurled himself at tree after tree while Spider shook his head sadly. Mahogany is very hard, tough wood and soon Lion’s head was aching and his chest bruised. At last he thundered headlong into a mahogany tree that Spider decided was tough enough. Lion collapsed underneath it, while Spider gathered up bits of branches fallen off the trees which Lion had attacked. With these he built the fire up again. “Now what?” gasped Lion, feeling a bit dizzy. “You really want those spots? Right. Then stand against the tree while I tie these strips of cow-hide round you.” Lion was stupid enough to allow Spider to tie him more and more firmly to the tree. “That’s great!” said Spider. “Wait a little bit while I heat up some sharp sticks to burn the spots you want so much. One spot for each of the fish you stole and ate. ”There wasn’t anything Lion could do except wait. Spider was also busy roasting some of the cow meat. After all, he hadn’t managed to eat any of the fish he had caught. Soon he was busy having supper. Lion struggled and whimpered – but he could not escape. However, the noise attracted a few white ants. “What are you doing?” they asked. “Oh, do help me,” begged Lion. “I promise not to hurt you.” Very cautiously, because everyone in the jungle was scared of Lion, the ants began to chew at the strips of hide. It took many hours, but finally Lion was free. “At last!” roared Lion. He saw a skinny gazelle and charged towards it. “Have you seen Spider anywhere? I’m going to eat him up whole.” “The mighty Spider who ties up creatures as strong as you?Oh, no. I should run away if I saw him. You should do the same.” So Lion did just that.

The listeners smiled and stretched their legs. They thanked the storyteller and passed him a gourd of palm wine. As the story said, a bully was always frightened, deep inside.