Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom

Read the following article and folktale, then answer the questions at the end.

WHY FOLKTALES ARE IMPORTANT

Spoken stories, particularly folktales, have played a pivotal role in shaping and nurturing African culture throughout history. These oral traditions serve as sharing of wisdom, knowledge, and societal values, passed down through generations by storytellers and elders. Within the rich tapestry of African folklore lie tales that embody moral lessons, cultural norms, and communal identity. In other words, folktales often serve the community as teaching the old and the young alike how they should act and feel. These stories, often told around communal fires or during gatherings, not only entertain but also educate listeners about their history, customs, and the interconnectedness of their communities. Through the art of storytelling, Africans have preserved their heritage, reinforced social bonds, and instilled a sense of belonging and pride in their cultural identity.

Furthermore, during the time of spoken-word cultures, folktales were an important way to share ideas to each other when not everyone could read written text. Folktales and storytelling around the fire bonded villages and tribes around morals and lessons that were easy to understand and adaptable for all people, regardless of their exposure to literature. Moreover, storytelling serves as a means of cultural preservation, empowering communities to preserve their traditions. Thus, spoken stories like folktales have not only contributed to the development of African culture, but also served as a vehicle for recording history as seen by the people who experienced it.

ANANSI AND THE POT OF WISDOM

Anansi, the spider, loves to spin a tale! He can regale you for hours with stories full of wonder, stories full of fun, and stories full of facts, too. Because he is so nosy, Anansi knows almost everything about almost everybody. Almost.

But Anansi wants to know everything! So, one day, he goes to the house of the Sun God. "Oh, mighty Sun God! You see everything and everyone! Won't you share your great wisdom with me? I'll use it wisely to spin tales of wonder and fun for everyone."

The Sun God says, "Anansi, I will put all the wisdom in the world here in this clay pot. You must share this wisdom with everyone." Anansi promises to do so.

Anansi takes the pot home. He looks deep into the clay pot and sure enough, he sees sights he has never seen before. He hears sounds he did not know existed. "This is too good to give away. I will keep this great wisdom for myself," thinks Anansi. "I must hide it!" he says, and he looks around for a good hiding place.

Anansi decides to climb to the top of the tallest tree. There he will tie up the clay pot and the leafy branches will hide it. He starts climbing the tree, holding the pot in front of him. The climbing is hard! Have you ever climbed a tree while holding a pot? Anansi wishes he had nine limbs!

His youngest daughter is outside and sees what a hard time Anansi is having. "Father, it would be easier if you tied the pot to your back. Then all your limbs would be free for climbing."

Do you think Anansi is happy to get good advice from his daughter? Think again! "She is right—that would be easier! Why is it some young pup thinks of this when I who possess all the wisdom of the world did not?" Anansi gets so angry that he throws the pot to the ground.

All the wisdom of the world comes flowing out of the pot. Some falls here, some falls there. No one gets all the wisdom, but everyone gets some wisdom. This is why, even today, wisdom is everywhere. If you listen to the stories—stories spun from storytellers all around the world—you will hear it.

What is the moral that Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom is really trying to teach? Don't forget to share at least two pieces of evidence to back up your answer!

Why are folktales such as this one important to the development of African culture? Don't forget to share at least two pieces of evidence to back up your answer!