Week 7 Reading Diary : West African Folktales

Stories from the West African Folktales Unit

How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race
I liked the concept of something imaginary and not tangible being in the pot. I would have thought that Anansi would have put something tangible, such as gold or food, in the pot to take away from those who offended him. Instead, I liked the ideal of wisdom being put into the pot. It is also ironic because he technically took wisdom away from everyone, including himself!

Anansi and Nothing
Oh the irony of the man Nothing! His name claims that he is nothing, but actually he is a man of riches and an abundance of wealth!

Thunder and Anansi
Anansi's selfishness is definitely portrayed well through this story. I mean why would you let your family starve and save all the food for yourself? I'm glad he returned him with many bruises, wishing he would have been more wise. 

Why the Lizard Moves His Head Up and Down
Wow, Anansi is ruthless! The lizard did disobey Anansi, but Anansi shouldn't have framed the lizard for the birds murder AND he shouldn't have "made the lizard dumb".  At the end of the story, it is concluded that ever since Anansi did this to the lizard, lizards always move their heads up and down. This could be fun to retell and create a new scenario for why simple things happen or how they started.

Why Spiders Are Always Found in Corners of Ceilings
Another story about why something is the way it is! I would have never thought that spiders, once men who betrayed others, were purposely put in the corner of the ceiling so no one else could see them. It would be interesting to make up another reason why spiders are in the dark corners of our ceilings!

The Squirrel and the Spider
Poor squirrel! Im glad the spider got what he deserved in the end! The quote, "he picked them up and, went off with them, leaving Spider and his children to return home sorrowful and empty-handed. Their thieving ways had brought them little profit," made me happy that the spider did not succeed in stealing the harvest! I also loved this adorable picture of the squirrel! So cute!

Squirrel

 West African Folktales by William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair, with drawings by Cecilia Sinclair (1917).