Myths and Folklore Blog

Once upon a time – before stories were called fairytales – they were called spider tales, after the spider Anansi. Anansi was very clever and had won the right to call stories that after outsmarting the chief of the gods. However, the news of this attracted the attention of another trickster, named Puck, and this is where our story begins. Puck is a fairy of the woods and of summertime, and he thinks stories should be named for him, and not Anansi.  So, he travels across the sea to Anansi’s house, and asks him if the stories can be named after the fair folk instead. Anansi considers this request then says, “I had to complete three tasks to get the stories named after me. It is only fair that you do the same.” Puck agrees to this happily. It sounds like a game, and all fairies are fond of games. “First,” Anansi says, “you must bring me a gourd full of live honeybees. Second, you must bring me a tiger. For the third and last task, you must outsmart me, Anansi.” For the firs...

Bibliography: "The Ungrateful Man" from West African Folktales  by William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair. Story Source .  Notes This was an enjoyable story, but I wish the leopard could have contributed more. The rat gave him wealth and the serpent gave him antidote, but the leopard only gave him meat for a few weeks. Still better than the man, but still. Also did the man have to die for the antidote? It doesn't say it needs blood straight from his aorta, why jump to decapitation before you have proof? It feels out of order. Other than that I don't think I'll change much. Maybe I'll read the other versions for inspiration (Image Information: Leopard Rat Snake; Wikimedia Commons .) Hehe, get it? A leopard rat snake, like the three animals combined. -A.

Bibliography: "How We Got the Name "Spider Tales"" from West African Folktales  by William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair. Story Source . Notes: This one already has a way I can think of to retell it You see, "spider tales" are not a thing here But fairy tales are And there happens to be a semi-well known fairy trickster who would work as a stand-in for Anansi Robin Goodfellow - Puck  The animals could be kept the same I think, though maybe the tiger might have to be changed to better fit the sort of western Europe setting fairies are usually associated with. (Image Information: Robin Goodfellow Trading Card, by rosefirerising on Flickr .)