Uncle Spider

THE spider is the hero of many West “Uncle African tales. Nobody knows why a spider, ate it all!” of all creatures, should be so honoured. they Some say the spider represents a legendary wailed. warrior of ancient times, a man renowned for The his cunning as well as for his valour; others sayspider, the spider is a solar symbol, perhaps because realising its legs radiate out from a central orb, like the that it was rays of the sun. Here is a spider tale from time to run, northern Nigeria. darted out of

When Mother hyena was away, Anansi, the the cave and sprinted away. spider, went to her den and informed her cubs “That’s Uncle For-you-all!” shouted the cubs. that he was their uncle, For-you-all. “Is he!” said their mother grimly, and bounded

“Wake me up when your mother brings food,” after the spider. Anansi rushed into Dog’s house he said, and curling up in a corner, went to and sat beside him. sleep. “I’ve just finished eating,” said the dog. “I’ve

Presently Mother hyena came with meat nothing to offer you.” which she gave to her cubs, saying: “This is for “That’s all right,” said the spider, “I’ve already you all.” eaten. That’s why I’m here.”

The cubs woke up the spider and gave him The hyena came in just then. the meat which he devoured. Mother hyena “Which of you was the rascal I was chasing!” brought meat twice more, on each occasion she demanded. saying, “This is for you all,” while handing over The spider pointed to the dog. “He has been the food to her cubs. Each time, the cubs running,” he said. “See how he’s panting with his dutifully woke up Anansi and gave him the tongue hanging out.” meat. The hyena pounced on the dog who twisted

In the evening when Mother hyena came away and jumped out of the window. The hyena home, the cubs started crying for food. followed him. The spider, knowing that it would

“Still hungry after all the meat I gave you?” be a long time before the dog got back, stretched she asked, surprised. out on his bed for a short snooze.