In the heart of the African forests, where creatures of myth and legend roamed freely, there was one commodity more prized than gold or jewels: wisdom. And in these woods, wisdom was symbolized by Common Sense. Not a concept, but a radiant bird with feathers that sparkled like a tapestry of diamonds in the sunlight.
Many tried to capture Common Sense, hoping to possess the wisdom it symbolized. But the bird was elusive, always staying one step ahead of those who pursued it.
Anansi, the clever spider, watched and waited. He observed as others used complex traps and strategies, only to be outsmarted by the bird. He realized that to capture Common Sense, he would need to use a different approach.
One day, he spun a silken web in the shape of a beautiful, intricate dreamcatcher and placed it high up in a tree where the bird often rested. Anansi didn’t seek to trap the bird but piqued its curiosity. True to its nature, Common Sense landed on the web to inspect the fascinating creation. It admired the intricate design and the shimmering threads that danced in the sunlight.
Anansi approached slowly, not wanting to scare the bird away. “I have not created this web to capture you,” he began, “but to share the beauty of wisdom with one who understands it the most.”
Humbled by Anansi’s gesture, Common Sense responded, “Why do you seek me, Anansi? Is it to possess the wisdom I symbolize?”
Anansi shook his head. “I seek not to possess you, but to understand you. Wisdom is not in holding onto something, but in understanding its true essence.”
Impressed by Anansi’s wisdom and humility, Common Sense offered him a feather, a symbol of the wisdom it held. “Keep this,” it said, “as a reminder that true wisdom comes not from possession, but from understanding and humility.”
From that day on, Anansi became known not just for his cleverness but also for his profound wisdom, all because he understood the true essence of Common Sense.
Moral: Wisdom is not something you can capture or possess; it’s something you understand and embody through humility and insight.