In the lively heart of the African jungle, Anansi, the clever spider, was feeling particularly mischievous. He wondered how the world would react if he were no longer part of it. So, he devised a playful, albeit somewhat morbid, trick.
He told his wife to spread the rumor that he had passed away after a sudden illness. Word spread like wildfire, and soon, the entire animal kingdom had heard of Anansi’s untimely demise.
The news brought mixed reactions. Some were genuinely sorrowful, remembering all the times Anansi had made them laugh with his stories and antics. Others, who had been at the receiving end of Anansi’s tricks, felt a secret relief.
Seeing the opportunity for a grand gathering, the animals decided to hold a wake in Anansi’s honor. They shared stories of his cleverness, laughed at the memories of his antics, and some even danced in his honor.
Anansi, curious to witness the spectacle himself, attended his own wake disguised as a distant relative nobody had ever met. He listened intently to every story, every whisper, every lament, and every joke made at his expense.
As the night wore on, a grand feast was laid out, and Anansi’s favorite foods were on the menu. Unable to resist, Anansi reached out to grab a morsel. But in his excitement, he forgot his disguise.
A sharp-eyed bird recognized Anansi’s distinct eight-legged shadow in the moonlight and cried out, “Anansi is among us!”
All the animals turned to see Anansi, sheepishly holding a piece of food, his disguise now pointless. The gathering burst into laughter, realizing they had been tricked once again by the clever spider.
The lion, chuckling, approached Anansi and said, “Only you, Anansi, would play with the idea of death just to hear stories about yourself.”
Moral: Our desire for recognition and validation can sometimes lead us to make questionable decisions. Always be genuine, and remember that the best appreciation comes when you are true to yourself.