Why Spiders Trap Flies

Anansi the Spider wanted to marry the daughter of the Sky God, Nyame. Nyame set a challenge: "Whoever can tell me my daughter's secret name can marry her." Many suitors tried and failed. Anansi knew he had to use his cunning. He heard that the daughter's best friend was the Fly. Anansi went to the Fly's house with a gourd full of sweet palm wine. "Friend Fly," he said, "let us share a drink." As they drank, Anansi kept pouring more for the Fly but very little for himself. Soon, the Fly was drunk and began to talk loosely. "Oh, my best friend," slurred the Fly, "my dear, dear friend... Bonsra!" Anansi had the name! He rushed to the Sky God's court and declared, "The name of your daughter is Bonsra!" Nyame was astonished and had to grant Anansi his daughter's hand in marriage. The Fly, once he sobered up, was horrified that he had betrayed his friend's secret. He was so ashamed that he flew away and hid. But Anansi never forgave him for nearly costing him his prize. He declared that the Fly was a gossip who could not be trusted. And that is why, to this day, Anansi and all his children spin webs to catch the Fly, to punish him for his loose tongue.