The Impossible Challenge

S1: Long ago, a powerful king ruled the land along the western coast of Africa.

S2: His palace was full of golden treasures.

S3: But the king was not happy.

King Kofi: Everyone praises my wealth. But I want them to respect my wisdom!

S1: He was jealous of Anansi the spider.

S2: Anansi was famous all over the kingdom for being wise.

S3: The king wanted to prove that he too was wise. So he invited the villagers to ask him for his advice.

S1: That’s when the trouble began. 

Adviser: Your Majesty, two villagers have arrived. 

S2: A farmer and a goat keeper walk in, arguing with each other. 

King Kofi: What is the problem?

Farmer: His goat ate all my yams!

Goat Keeper: His yams made my goat sick!

King Kofi: The answer is simple! Just . . . 

S3: The villagers stare at the king, waiting.

King Kofi (nervously): Um . . . 

Farmer: Maybe we should ask Anansi. 

King Kofi: Ugh, that spider doesn’t know everything! 

Goat Keeper (whispering to the farmer): We must find Anansi.

S1: Anansi and his wife, Aso, shop at a busy market.

Anansi: Should we buy meat for dinner?

S2: Aso counts the coins in her purse.

Aso: We can’t afford it. Let’s get rice instead.

S3: Just then, the goat keeper and the farmer rush over.

Goat Keeper: Anansi! 

Farmer: We need your help!

S1: They explain their problem.

Anansi: Easy! Farmer, give the goat keeper herbs from your garden to make medicine for the goat. 

Farmer: OK!

Anansi: Goat keeper, give the farmer goat milk to sell instead of yams.

Goat Keeper: Done!

Anansi: Then build a fence together so this never happens again.

Farmer and Goat Keeper: We can do that!

Aso (smiling): Your wisdom is a gift, Anansi. 

Anansi: Wisdom can’t buy food. We need wealth! 

S2: Anansi spots the king’s soldiers.  

Anansi: I have an idea.

S3: The spider starts bragging—loudly.

Anansi: I’m the most clever creature in the land! 

Aso (alarmed): What are you doing? 

Anansi: No one is wiser than me, not even the king!  

Aso: We’re not allowed to insult the king! 

S1: Before Anansi can say another word, the king’s soldiers arrest him.

S2: The soldiers drag Anansi to the king.  

Soldier 1: Your Majesty, Anansi was boasting at the market.

Soldier 2: He was saying he is wiser than you!

King Kofi (to Anansi): How dare you compare yourself to me, spider!

S3: Anansi bows, glancing at the gold glittering in the room.

S1: He hides a smile. His trick is working.

Anansi: I was only trying to get your attention to offer help, my king. Give me any task, and I will complete it. 

King Kofi (angrily): Fine. If you are sooo wise, then get me Tiger’s three golden treasures.

S2: Tiger’s gold plate and cup served the tastiest meals and drinks. 

S3: Her gold sandals could make anyone run as fast as the wind. 

S1: But Tiger was dangerous. She ate anyone who visited her. 

Adviser (gasping): Your Majesty, that is an impossible challenge! 

King Kofi: If you succeed, Anansi, you may take as many of my riches as you can carry. But if you fail, you must leave my kingdom—never to return. 

Anansi: I accept.

S2: Anansi bows and leaves. 

King Kofi: Soon, I will be the wisest in the land.

S2: Anansi crawls through a forest to Tiger’s house. 

S3: After a few hours, he sits by a river to eat. 

River: Mmm! Your food smells delicious. Can I have some? 

S1: Anansi’s stomach growls. He’s hungry.

S2: But he knows that sharing now might come in handy later.

Anansi: I’ll share . . . if you promise to help me when I return.

River: I will!

S3: Anansi tosses some food into the water.

S1: As night falls, Anansi feels something pinch his legs. 

Anansi: OUCH!  

S2: It’s a group of fire ants. 

Fire Ants: We are hungry! Will you share with us too?

Anansi: Only if you watch out for me on my way back.

Fire Ants: We promise!

S3: The ants eat the rest of Anansi’s food. 

Anansi: Why did I agree to this challenge? I wish I were in bed!

S1: Just then, bright-yellow eyes flash in front of him. 

Tiger (grinning): You can rest at my house.

Tiger: I’m so glad you’re here, Anansi! No one ever visits me.

Anansi (faking surprise): Really? 

Tiger: I don’t get it. I don’t eat all my guests! Just the delicious ones. And the boring ones. And the ones who don’t compliment me . . .

Anansi (quickly): Well, your home is gorgeous.

Tiger: Of course it is! Now get some rest. Here’s your room. 

S2: Anansi lies in bed but knows better than to fall asleep.

S3: Later that night, Tiger sneaks into Anansi’s room to eat him.

Anansi: Hello, Tiger! 

Tiger (surprised): Why aren’t you asleep? 

Anansi (lying): I can’t sleep without my golden sandals. Do you have some I can borrow?

S1: Tiger gives her sandals to Anansi so he will sleep. 

S2: But he doesn’t. The spider stays alert . . .

S3: . . . until Tiger is so tired, she falls asleep.

Anansi: Whew!

S1: The next morning, Tiger prepares a big breakfast. 

Tiger: Anansi! I’m ready to eat you! I mean—with you!

S2: The spider joins Tiger, still wearing her sandals. 

Anansi (lying): I can only eat and drink from gold. Do you have anything
I can use?

S3: Tiger is fooled again. She hands over her golden plate and cup. 

Anansi: Thank you, Tiger. I’ll wash them before I eat. 

S1: Anansi walks past the kitchen . . . 

S2: . . . and runs straight out of Tiger’s house.

S3: Anansi sprints away from Tiger. 

S1: But she chases after him. Her quick footsteps pound like drumbeats. 

S2: Even without her magical sandals, she starts to catch up. 

Anansi (gasping): I’m not going to make it. 

S3: Then he sees the fire ants.

Anansi: Friends! Slow Tiger down!

Fire Ants: Anything for you, Anansi!

S1: The ants swarm Tiger’s legs, tickling her until she roars.

Tiger: ANANSIIIIIIII! 

S2: Anansi stumbles toward the river.

Anansi: River, help me!

River: Jump in!

S3: Anansi leaps into the water. The river quickly carries him to safety.

S1: When Tiger reaches the water, the river floods with dangerous waves. 

Tiger (growling): I will get you, spider!

S2: But Anansi is already racing to the king.

S3: Anansi enters the palace, covered in mud and sweat. 

King Kofi (shocked): You survived?

Anansi: Of course, Your Highness. I have your treasures. 

King Kofi (amazed): Anansi, you trickster! You can fool anyone with your cleverness. And you shall have your reward. 

S1: While the king guides Anansi through the palace, Anansi thinks of Aso’s words. 

Anansi: My wisdom saved my life. Maybe it is enough . . . 

S2: But then . . .

King Kofi: Here we are! My room of riches. 

S3: Anansi’s eyes nearly pop out of his head. There’s gold everywhere.

Anansi: I will choose . . . just a few things.

S1: Anansi leaves with arms full of treasure. 

Anansi: Aso was right. My wisdom is worth as much as gold. But it sure feels good to have both!