How Anansi Became the Keeper of All Stories

Long, long ago, all the stories in the world belonged to Nyame, the Sky God. Anansi the Spider wanted to buy the stories, so he went to Nyame and asked the price. Nyame said, "They are not for sale." But Anansi insisted. Finally, Nyame, thinking it impossible, said, "I will sell you the stories, but you must bring me three things: Onini the Python, Osebo the Leopard, and the Mmoboro hornets." Anansi agreed. First, he went to the python's home carrying a long bamboo pole. He greeted Onini, saying, "Wife and I disagree. She says you are shorter than this pole, but I say you are longer." Intrigued, the python stretched himself out alongside the pole. As soon as he did, Anansi quickly wrapped a creeper vine around him, tying him to the pole. "It seems I was right after all," Anansi said, and he carried the python to the Sky God. Next, Anansi dug a deep pit on the leopard's favourite path and covered it with branches. When Osebo the Leopard fell in, Anansi offered to help him out with his webs. But instead of pulling him out, he bound him completely and carried him to the Sky God. For the hornets, Anansi filled a calabash with water and cut a banana leaf. He poured some water over himself and the rest on the hornets' nest, crying, "The rains are here! Quick, fly into my dry calabash so you do not drown!" The hornets flew inside, and Anansi quickly sealed the opening. He presented the hornets to Nyame. The Sky God was amazed. "Anansi," he declared, "you have done what I thought was impossible. From this day forward, all stories belong to you. Whenever a man tells a story, he must acknowledge that it is one of Anansi's tales." And that is how Anansi the Spider became the owner of all stories.