Why the Vulture's Head is Bald

In a time of a great famine, Anansi learned that the Vulture, who lived on the highest mountain, had a secret stash of food. Anansi decided to visit him. He climbed the mountain, and the Vulture welcomed him kindly, sharing his meal. Anansi, being greedy, wanted the food all to himself. He asked the Vulture, "Friend, how do you stay so clean living up here with all this dust?" The Vulture replied, "I have a special charm. I can take off my head and wash it." To demonstrate, the Vulture removed his head, cleaned it, and put it back on. Anansi was amazed and asked to try. The Vulture, trusting his guest, gave him the charm. Anansi took off his head, but instead of washing it, he secretly hid it in his bag. "Oh, no!" he cried, "I cannot find my head!" He pretended to be in great distress. The Vulture felt sorry for him and offered to fly down the mountain to find it. As soon as the Vulture was gone, Anansi went to the food store and began to eat as fast as he could. The Vulture searched everywhere, and when he returned empty-handed, he found Anansi feasting. Realizing he had been tricked, the Vulture flew into a rage. He grabbed Anansi and a great fight began. In the struggle, a fire was knocked over, and it set the whole mountaintop ablaze. Anansi, having found his own head, managed to escape. But the Vulture was caught in the fire, which burned all the feathers from his head. And that is why, to this day, the Vulture has a bald, scorched head, as a reminder of Anansi's deceit.