In Ghanaian folklore, Ananse the Spider is used to represent a very clever person. Sometimes , he is shown using his cunning to trick other creatures and eventually getting punished. At times too, Ananse would do good to his fellow men and save a situation. Here is one Ananse story that shows how clever he is.
Unable to find a job, Ananse decides to open a clinic. He puts a large sign outside which reads:
“GET TREATMENT FOR GHȻ20 – IF NOT CURED
GET BACK GHȻ100.”
A learned lawyer thinks this is a great opportunity to earn GHȻ100 and goes to the clinic.
LAWYER: “I have lost my sense of taste.”
ANANSE: “Nurse, bring medicine from box number 22 and put 3 drops in
patient’s mouth.”
LAWYER (after tasting): “Ugh…this is kerosene.”
ANANSE: “Congrats, your sense of taste is restored. Give me ghȻ20.”
The annoyed lawyer goes back after a few days to recover his money.
LAWYER: “I have lost my memory. I can’t remember anything.”
ANANSE: Nurse, bring medicine from box number 22 and put three drops
in his mouth.”
LAWYER (annoyed): “This is kerosene. You gave this to me last time for
restoring my taste.”
ANANSE: “Congrats. You got your memory back. Give me GHȻ20.”
The fuming lawyer pays him, and comes back a week later determined to get back GHȻ100.
LAWYER: “My eyesight has become very weak.”
ANANSE: “Well, I don’t have any medicine for that, so take this GHȻ100.”
LAWYER (staring at the note): “But this is GHȻ5 not GHȻ100.”
ANANSE: “Congrats, your eyesight is restored. Give me GHȻ20.”
You can’t beat Ananse, can you?
By MichaelinaObiri
JHS 3