Traditional
|
West Africa

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

Curious spider Anansi finds a magical rock that puts animals to sleep; he tricks them but is eventually outsmarted.
Honesty
Trickery
Greed
Featured in Fable Book
Akan Fables - Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time in a dense jungle, Anansi the Spider was going about his usual business. He was a curious creature and loved exploring the jungle. One day, while wandering around, Anansi stumbled upon a strange, moss-covered rock.

"Wow, what a peculiar rock!" he exclaimed. He noticed that the rock was entirely covered in soft, green moss. He found it quite beautiful and, in his excitement, he said aloud, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!"

To his surprise, as soon as he spoke these words, a bright flash of light appeared, and Anansi fell fast asleep. When he woke up, he was quite puzzled but soon realized that it was the rock that had this magical power. Anansi, being a trickster and full of mischief, thought of a cunning plan.

One by one, he invited his friends to see the unique moss-covered rock. First, he invited Lion, the king of the jungle. "Lion, come see this strange moss-covered rock!" he said. And as soon as Lion said the words, he too fell fast asleep. While Lion was sleeping, Anansi went to Lion's den and took some of his food.

Next, he invited Elephant, the strongest animal in the jungle. "Elephant, come see this strange moss-covered rock!" Anansi said. And just like Lion, Elephant fell fast asleep as soon as he spoke the words, and Anansi took some of his food too.

Anansi played this trick on all his friends - Zebra, Giraffe, Monkey, and many more. He gathered a lot of food without any effort.

However, Little Bush Deer had been watching Anansi all this time. She was small but very clever. She decided it was time to teach Anansi a lesson.

One day, when Anansi was away, Little Bush Deer went to all the animals and woke them up. She explained Anansi's trick, and they all decided to teach Anansi a lesson.

When Anansi invited Little Bush Deer to see the rock, she acted surprised and said, "Oh, Anansi, what a strange moss-covered rock!" But she didn't fall asleep. Confused, Anansi thought the rock had lost its power, so he said the words himself, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!"

Just like before, a bright flash of light appeared, and Anansi fell fast asleep. When he woke up, he found all the animals looking at him. They had taken back their food, and Anansi had nothing. Anansi felt embarrassed and apologized to everyone.

Once upon a time in a dense jungle, Anansi the Spider was going about his usual business. He was a curious creature who loved to explore. One day, while walking around, Anansi found a strange rock covered in moss.

"Wow, what a strange rock!" he said. The rock was soft and green with moss, and Anansi thought it looked special. In his excitement, he said aloud, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!"

Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light, and Anansi fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up, he was confused, but then he understood—the rock had magical powers. Anansi, being a clever trickster, came up with a plan.

He invited his friends to see the moss-covered rock. First, he brought Lion, the king of the jungle. "Lion, come look at this strange moss-covered rock!" he said. As soon as Lion spoke the words, he fell asleep. While Lion slept, Anansi took some of his food.

Next, Anansi invited Elephant, the strongest animal in the jungle. "Elephant, come see this strange moss-covered rock!" And just like Lion, Elephant fell asleep when he spoke the words. Again, Anansi took some of his food.

Anansi tricked many of his friends—Zebra, Giraffe, Monkey, and others. He collected a lot of food easily.

But Little Bush Deer had been watching Anansi. She was small but very smart. She knew it was time to stop Anansi's tricks.

One day, while Anansi was away, Little Bush Deer went to wake up the animals. She explained Anansi's trick, and they all agreed to teach him a lesson.

When Anansi invited Little Bush Deer to see the rock, she acted surprised and said, "Oh, what a strange moss-covered rock!" But she didn’t fall asleep. Anansi was confused and thought the rock had lost its magic. So, he said the words himself, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!"

Again, the bright flash of light appeared, and Anansi fell asleep. When he woke up, all the animals were standing around him. They had taken back their food, and Anansi had nothing. Feeling embarrassed, Anansi apologized to everyone.

Once upon a time in a dense jungle, Anansi the Spider was going about his usual business. He was a curious creature who loved to explore. One day, while walking around, Anansi found a strange rock covered in moss.

"Wow, what a strange rock!" he said. The rock was soft and green with moss, and Anansi thought it looked special. In his excitement, he said aloud, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!"

Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light, and Anansi fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up, he was confused, but then he understood—the rock had magical powers. Anansi, being a clever trickster, came up with a plan.

He invited his friends to see the moss-covered rock. First, he brought Lion, the king of the jungle. "Lion, come look at this strange moss-covered rock!" he said. As soon as Lion spoke the words, he fell asleep. While Lion slept, Anansi took some of his food.

Next, Anansi invited Elephant, the strongest animal in the jungle. "Elephant, come see this strange moss-covered rock!" And just like Lion, Elephant fell asleep when he spoke the words. Again, Anansi took some of his food.

Anansi tricked many of his friends—Zebra, Giraffe, Monkey, and others. He collected a lot of food easily.

But Little Bush Deer had been watching Anansi. She was small but very smart. She knew it was time to stop Anansi's tricks.

One day, while Anansi was away, Little Bush Deer went to wake up the animals. She explained Anansi's trick, and they all agreed to teach him a lesson.

When Anansi invited Little Bush Deer to see the rock, she acted surprised and said, "Oh, what a strange moss-covered rock!" But she didn’t fall asleep. Anansi was confused and thought the rock had lost its magic. So, he said the words himself, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!"

Again, the bright flash of light appeared, and Anansi fell asleep. When he woke up, all the animals were standing around him. They had taken back their food, and Anansi had nothing. Feeling embarrassed, Anansi apologized to everyone.

In a jungle teeming with chatter and antics, Anansi the Spider was a bit of a legend. With eight legs and a head full of tricks, he never let a day go by without some mischief.

One dazzling morning, Anansi discovered something that caught his many eyes: a rock, dressed up in luxurious green moss. "Blimey, isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" he accidentally blurted, then - ZAP! - he was dozing away.

Waking up with a start, Anansi realized the magic words and thought, "A prankster's jackpot! This'll be good."

First, he invited Lion, the jungle's proud king, known for his majestic mane and booming voice. "Lion, old buddy," Anansi said, "Feast your eyes on this beauty!"

Lion squinted and declared, "Well, I'll be, isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" Then - WHOOSH! - he was out like a candle. Anansi chuckled and helped himself to some food, singing a triumphant tune.

Next was Elephant, the gentle giant with wisdom to spare. "Elephant, my dear friend," Anansi called, "What can you say about this rock?"

"By my tusks, isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" Elephant gasped, then fell fast asleep. Anansi danced away with some food, laughing like there was no tomorrow.

He played this trick on Zebra, Giraffe, Monkey, and more, each falling into his playful trap. Their confusion and the subsequent naps made Anansi's day a comedy festival.

But hold on! Little Bush Deer, small and as clever as they come, had seen it all. "Time to rewrite this script," she thought, her eyes twinkling.

Quietly, she woke up the animals and explained Anansi's trick. "Let's give him a show, a real blockbuster!" she giggled, and they all joined in, their eyes sparkling with fun.

When Anansi invited Little Bush Deer to see the rock, she played along perfectly. "Oh, Anansi, isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" she said, but didn't fall asleep. Not one wink.

Confused, Anansi scratched all eight legs, then said the magic words himself, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" - and down he went, dreaming of pies and pranks.

When he woke up, there they were, all his friends, holding their food and wearing the grandest grins. "Looks like the prankster's been pranked!" they cheered, laughter ringing through the jungle.

Anansi's cheeks went as red as ripe cherries, but he joined in the laughter, his heart full. "You got me, friends, fair and square!" he exclaimed, promising to prank responsibly from then on.

As for that moss-covered rock? It's still there, green and mysterious, waiting for the next eight-legged comedian or curious critter, ready for a laugh or a snooze.

Through the twisty trails and jungle vast,
Anansi the Spider, his eyes cast,
Upon a rock that was quite the find,
A mossy wonder that boggled his mind.

"Oh my, oh my, what do I see?
A strange moss-covered rock, could it really be?"
A flash and a crash, then sleep he did fall,
Awakening later, recalling it all.

"A trick I can play!" he thought with delight,
With a gleam in his eye, and steps so light,
He called on the Lion, so fierce and so grand,
"Lion, come see!" was Anansi's demand.

Lion roared, "A strange moss-covered rock!"
Then slept like a babe, to Anansi's sweet mock,
Food he then took from Lion's own den,
And thought, "Oh, this trick I must play again!"

Elephant next, so strong and so proud,
Fell to the trick, and slept sound and unroused,
Zebra and Giraffe, Monkey too,
One by one, they all snored and they flew.

But Little Bush Deer, small and wise,
Watched Anansi with keen, clever eyes,
She gathered the beasts, who had been tricked and fooled,
"A lesson we'll teach," she calmly ruled.

When Anansi the sly, called Deer to the rock,
She surprised him by not sleeping, oh what a shock!
Confused, Anansi said the magical phrase,
Fell fast asleep, ending his tricky haze.

He awoke to them all, glaring and stern,
"Your tricks are done, now you will learn!"
Food taken back, apology made,
Anansi the Spider's tricks had been stayed.

Through laughter and chatter, the jungle alive,
Anansi was humbled, no more tricks to contrive,
He smiled with friends, no more to beguile,
In the dense jungle's heart, they danced for a while.

Share
Feedback

Word Finder

  1. Dense

    Thick and full, with little space.

  2. Curious

    Wanting to learn or know about something.

  3. Moss

    A small, soft plant that grows on surfaces.

  4. Excitement

    Strong feeling of happiness and enthusiasm.

  5. Magical

    Having special powers that are mysterious.

  6. Clever

    Quick to understand and use ideas smartly.

  7. Trickster

    Someone who deceives or plays tricks on others.

  8. Collected

    Gathered things together into one place.

  9. Confused

    Not understanding what is happening.

  10. Apologized

    said sorry for doing something wrong.

Understanding Questions

  1. What did Anansi find in the jungle, and how did he react to it?
  2. How did the moss-covered rock affect the animals who spoke about it?
  3. Why did Anansi invite his friends, like Lion and Elephant, to see the rock?
  4. What did Little Bush Deer do to stop Anansi’s tricks?
  5. How did Anansi feel at the end of the story, and why?
Word Finder
  1. Dense

    Thick and full, with little space.

  2. Curious

    Wanting to learn or know about something.

  3. Moss

    A small, soft plant that grows on surfaces.

  4. Excitement

    Strong feeling of happiness and enthusiasm.

  5. Magical

    Having special powers that are mysterious.

  6. Clever

    Quick to understand and use ideas smartly.

  7. Trickster

    Someone who deceives or plays tricks on others.

  8. Collected

    Gathered things together into one place.

  9. Confused

    Not understanding what is happening.

  10. Apologized

    said sorry for doing something wrong.

Understanding Questions

    What did Anansi find in the jungle?

    1. A treasure
    2. A moss-covered rock
    3. A hidden cave
    4. A magical river
  1. How did the moss-covered rock affect the animals who spoke about it?

    1. They ignored it
    2. They became curious
    3. They were frightened
    4. They felt happy
  2. Why did Anansi invite his friends, like Lion and Elephant, to see the rock?

    1. To show off
    2. To trick them
    3. To have a party
    4. To help them
  3. What did Little Bush Deer do to stop Anansi’s tricks?

    1. Ran away
    2. Called for help
    3. Outsmarted him
    4. Ignored him
  4. How did Anansi feel at the end of the story, and why?

    1. Happy because he won
    2. Sad because he lost
    3. Angry because he was tricked
    4. Confused about what happened
  1. What did Anansi find in the jungle, and how did he react to it?
  2. How did the moss-covered rock affect the animals who spoke about it?
  3. Why did Anansi invite his friends, like Lion and Elephant, to see the rock?
  4. What did Little Bush Deer do to stop Anansi’s tricks?
  5. How did Anansi feel at the end of the story, and why?
  1. What did Anansi find in the jungle, and how did he react to it?
  2. How did the moss-covered rock affect the animals who spoke about it?
  3. Why did Anansi invite his friends, like Lion and Elephant, to see the rock?
  4. What did Little Bush Deer do to stop Anansi’s tricks?
  5. How did Anansi feel at the end of the story, and why?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think Anansi decided to trick all of his friends with the moss-covered rock?
  2. What did Little Bush Deer do when she discovered Anansi's trick, and why was that important?
  3. Can you think of a time when it was better to share instead of trying to get everything for yourself?
  4. What does this story teach us about being honest and fair with our friends?
  5. How would you feel if you were one of Anansi's friends and discovered that he had tricked you?
Fable Quotes
Honesty might not lead to riches, but it always leads to respect.
Trickery may bring temporary gain, but its consequences reveal the true price of deceit.
Greed can lead to empty hands, where sharing could have filled them.
Just One More Fable

The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?

Read More

When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?

Read More
About

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Buy a Book and Help Bring Fables to the World

Enjoy 25 selected fables for life, in print. Every purchase supports free stories for children, parents, and teachers worldwide at fablereads.com

Learn More