What can you get for a grain of corn if you are as crafty as Ananse?

“Ananse and the Grain of Corn” is an Asante folktale retold by A. Sakyiama. It is free on this website for a limited time only.

This story was published in Today’s Water and Other Stories which is currently available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and other ebook stores.

Now, let the story begin. Anansesem se so …

Ananse and the Grain of Corn

“The person who proposed the exchange knows which is the better item.” —Akan proverb

ONE DAY, NYANKUPONG, the Supreme God, had a great feast for all the people. Ananse was enjoying himself and in typical fashion, boasting of his great wit and wisdom. Nyankupong, who had seen much human stupidity, soon tired of hearing the boasts.In front of everyone, he asked Ananse:

“Ananse, if I give you a grain of corn, what do you think you can do with it?’’

“A grain of corn? I am the most clever of all men. I can win a whole city full of people with just a grain of corn!’’ Ananse declared.

Some of the people gasped but most of them laughed at Ananse’s bold claim. Nyankupong did not laugh.

“Ananse, if you cannot do as you have said, I will punish you so severely, you will wish a thousand times that you had never made such a boast.’’

“Nana Nyankupong, this is no boast. I can prove to you that I am the most clever of all by doing as I have claimed,’’ Ananse replied.

Nyankupong took a corncob, plucked out all the grains except for one and gave it to Ananse. Ananse bowed and took his leave right away. He went home and packed for his quest.

At home his friends and family begged him to ask Nyankupong for forgiveness and give up his foolish quest. Their pleading had no effect on him.

“No, I cannot lose face here. I must protect my pride and reputation or my word means nothing,’’ he insisted.

He set off with a spring in his step as soon as he had the necessities packed. [End of Excerpt]

“Ananse and the Grain of Corn” is an Asante folktale retold by A. Sakyiama. It was free on this website for a time. If you missed it, look around the site, there are other free stories lurking about.

You will also find the story in Today’s Water and Other Stories which is currently available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and other ebook stores.