5.Anansi the Spider (West African Folklore)

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Welcome my spooky friends. To Methodist, according to yours, truly. I'm your host, Wendy Morrow. Moro. On this podcast. Cast, we dive into myths and folklore from all over the world. These. Stories have shaped cultures, stirred imaginations, and kept us captivated. For centuries. Together, we'll explore the origins. Meanings and mysteries behind these tales. With a fresh perspective. And a little bit of fun. So grab your favorite drink and gather around my campfire. For a tail, you won't forget. Today's tale. We're talking about a Nanci. The spider. Very. Excited about this episode. This is a west African folklore. Lore. This one is very special to me. Particularly because of the message of this story. So without. Any further ado. Let's begin. In the land where stories were spun like silk in the air, there was no creature as clever as the cunning Anansi, the spider. Small and seemingly insignificant, Anansi had a wit so sharp it could cut through the tightest of challenges. From the great gods to the humans on earth, none were safe from his tricks. While Anansi's schemes often left others scratching their heads, he was ultimately respected, if not always trusted, for the cleverness that marked every move he made. One day, Anansi overheard the gods talking. They were discussing the sacred stories of the world, stories of wisdom, strength, and kindness, and even trickery itself. Those stories were precious and kept in a golden gird and guarded fiercely by Naomi the sky God Anansi decided he wanted the stories from self Not to keep them locked away, but to share them with all who would listen The challenges set by Naomi Boldly, Anansi climbed his web to the heavens and scattered up to Nayame's throne. Oh, great Nayame, Anansi said with a respectful bow. I came to ask for stories, you guard. I wish to take them down to earth. Nayame laughed a deep sigh. Thunderous sound that shook the clouds. You, a tiny spider, want the stories of the world? He scoffed. If you can complete these three impossible tasks, I would give you the stories. But beware, no one has succeeded yet. Nancy's eyes gleamed. Name them, oh great Naomi, and I shall see them done. The first task Na explained was to capture Maro the Hornet. Next, he was to capture a nanny, the great Python, and finally, he must bring Zibo, the leopard alive to Naomi. Each of these captures. Each of these creatures was as dangerous as they were cunning. Yet, Anansi kept Yet, Anansi accepted without hesitation. Task 1. The Hornet. Anansi's first task took him to the forest, where in Moboro the hornet buzzed fiercely. Always on guard, Anansi plucked a large banana leaf, soaked it in water, and held it over his head like an umbrella. As he approached the hornet's nest, anansi called out, Oh, Moboro, the rain is coming, and you will be washed from your nest, quick, take shelter in this gird that I have brought. Moboro, not wanting to get drenched, buzzed down and crawled into the gird, where Anansi swiftly plugged the entrance. Anansi chuckled to himself. One down. Two to go and took the gird with a trapped Hornet. Back to Na task two. The Python for his second task announcing. Knew that trickery alone wouldn't work. He needed to appeal to On's pride. He found that the enormous Python coiled around a tree looking drowsy. And Nancy greeted him, Oh mighty Andani, I have heard you're the longest creature in the forest. But my wife says otherwise. She says, A branch I found is longer than you. Would you be willing to stretch beside it to prove her wrong? Anani, irritated by the doubt cast upon his eyes, uncoiled and lay straight beside the branch. Swiftly, Anansi wrapped him in vines, binding him tight. You may be long, Anani whispered with a grin, but even the longest creatures can be tied up in knots. With his prize. With his prize secured, Anan brought the python to Naomi. Task three, the leopard for the final task, Anan had to face Zibo, the fearsome leopard, whose claws could tear through flesh in a heartbeat. Knowing the leopard was quick to anger an Nancy simply tried. Anansi set a simple trap. He dug a pit and covered it with leaves and branches. That night, as Ozebo prowled through the forest, he stepped into a pit and fell. In the morning, Anansi arrived and looked down at the trapped leopard. Ozebo, Anansi called, feigning concern. You look quite stuck. Let me help you out. Get me out of here, Anansi, growled Ozebo. Bearing his teeth, I shall pull you out with this vine. Anansi said, lowering the vine into the pit. Ozipo grabbed on, and Anansi pulled. He quickly bound Ozipo's paws with it. There, now you are safe and secure, Anansi said with a quick wink. With the leopard subdued, Anansi returned triumphantly to Nayame, bringing with him Moboro, the hornet, Anani, the python, and Ozibo, the leopard. The reward of the stories. Nayame was amazed. You've done the impossible, Anansi. The stories are yours, he said, handing Anansi the gird that held all the stories in the world. Anansi grinned. His eyes glimmed with triumph. Thank you, Nayame, he said, bowing deeply. He then spun his web back down to Earth, holding the gird close. When he arrived on earth, he opened the gird and let the stories spill out on the world like golden rain, scattering wisdom, laughter, and lessons across the lands. Anansi's gifts allowed everyone, whether human or animal, rich or poor, to share the tales learned from them, pass them down through generations. The lessons of Anansi's tales. And so, Anansi the spider taught the world a valuable lesson. That wit and courage can achieve even what strength cannot, and that the power of the stories belongs to all who seek them. And Nancy became not just a trickster, but a storyteller, a weaver of tales that remind us to use our cleverness to solve problems, to persevere through difficulty, and to share what we learn with others. To this day, his spirit lives in the stories passed from person to person, web to web, a reminder that power of both cleverness and community. I believe that Anansi, though small and tiny, reminds us that those that are small and tiny can do big things. Today, I wanted to share the scripture of James 3. 13. It says, Who is wise in understanding among you? Let him show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. This scripture reflects the importance of humility and true wisdom. Anansis learns that keeping knowledge to himself is a selfish act, and wisdom must be shared, and wisdom must be shared for it to have real value. I personally really like this verse because I can relate to it so much. I feel like there's a lot to take in. I really like this story of Anansi and this scripture from James 3. 13. about wisdom, and having a good life, and being humble. What is that quote, from Spider Man? With great power comes great responsibility. And wisdom is Whether you're learning things from a young age or from an old age, there's an abundance of it, and you can never run out, and you can never reach a point where you know too much. And I think that once we're humble in gaining our knowledge, we'll be able to see other people in a way that is more leveling, meaning more, we'll see other people as well people and not objects, we'll have more understanding and more concern for the life of others and humanity in general. And I believe knowledge, if done right and done with humility, can teach us how to truly love other people and not just teach us, but We will be able to learn how to do it, and in what ways we can help others. I really respect our doctors, and those that have learned out of our best books, and have been able to take the wisdom they know to help other people. I think that's so cool. I think that, it's such a service to humanity. And so, I, and I, that's the same reason I'm actually going to school, is because I, my family, and um, I want to help those that have come before me and those that have, will come after me. And just write the knowledge down that's learned throughout generations, honestly. I think that's why it's important to You know, um, ask your grandparents what they've learned and ask them about their life. Family history is so important and learning wisdom from those that are older, uh, and you know, they say that they're wiser as well. Sometimes I think that, when I have questions, I just look up, look it up on Google, but the truth is when it comes to the nature of the heart or the mind Some questions we can ask our parents or our grandparents or our friends parents, those that have studied it I think we should ask those that have Put the time and energy to read those books and study the knowledge and also have the courage to take the test, to be certified. I know that some, instead of asking Google or chat, GBT, sometimes we should take a step back and ask real humans because chat, GBT cannot, truly know our heart. Do you like, Chat, GBT, and AI, Google, when it comes to the matters of the heart and questions, meaningful, deep questions, they don't feel those things, but your grandma would. Your grandma would be able to feel them, and your grandpa, and your parents, and those that love you. And for those that don't have that, if you have friends that care, and so they will be able to actually give you honest answers. Well, ones that are filled with love and compassion. What I love most about this scripture is the last part where it says, let them show by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Because knowledge gives us more information about other people, and how brains work, how bodies work, how different nations work, how different generations and ethnicities and race, and Also, honestly, how different minds think, it opens the heart to know, to connect to more people. And so because we have more knowledge, we're able to have more empathy towards others that look different than us and are different than us. We can be able to love others that are Strange or unique because honestly everybody I've met has been unique I've not met a single person that hasn't been unique in their own way. That just warms my heart and I hope that today's story has been good and that I know I've learned something. Sometimes I surprise myself because I read a story And I think I know what I'm going to say or what I'm going to share But then I end up saying something else and so I really hope that today's message Was good and that touched your heart and that you can take it with you because I know it has mine I will see you next time on this podcast