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AGES 7-8 • 12 pages • about 3 min to read together
Kweku distracts Ssese to take a magical gemstone, then returns it when he learns that true treasures must be earned honestly.
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PAGE 1 OF 12
In the deep forest beyond Kweku Anansi’s village, a gemstone glowed inside Ssese the Snake’s cave. People said it shimmered with every color of sunrise and could grant one honest wish.
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Kweku heard the tale and wanted the gem more than anything. “With one wish,” he said, “I could become the cleverest child in every village.”
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At dawn, Kweku walked to Ssese’s cave with his orange scarf wrapped around his neck. Ssese rested beside the entrance, long and graceful, with the gemstone glowing behind him.
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“Ssese,” Kweku called, “I heard the old vine across the baobab is longer than you.” Ssese lifted his head. “Longer than me? That cannot be true.”
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Kweku led Ssese to the great baobab. A long vine stretched from root to branch. “If you lie beside it,” Kweku said, “we can measure fairly.”
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Ssese stretched proudly along the vine. Kweku marked the ground with smooth white stones, one by one, from Ssese’s nose to the tip of his tail.
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While Ssese admired the careful line of stones, Kweku slipped back to the cave and picked up the gemstone. It was warm and bright in his hands.
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But as Kweku hurried away, the gem felt heavier and heavier. Its colors dimmed. Kweku’s clever smile faded. “This does not feel like winning,” he whispered.
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Ssese found Kweku beside the stream. He was not angry, only disappointed. “A treasure taken in secret cannot grant an honest wish,” Ssese said.
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Kweku bowed his head and returned the gemstone. “I wanted wisdom,” he said, “but I forgot to act wisely.”
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Ssese looked at the gem, then at Kweku. “Because you brought it back, you may make one small wish.” Kweku thought carefully. “I wish to remember that cleverness needs honesty.”
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The gemstone glowed again, warm as sunrise. From then on, Kweku still loved clever plans, but he learned that the best treasures are earned with honest hands.
Talk about it together
- What was your favourite part of the story?
- What do you think Anansi learned?
- What would you have done differently?
ABOUT THIS TALE
Anansi (Kwaku Ananse) is the clever spider of Ashanti folklore from Ghana. These tales were told aloud for generations and travelled the world with the Akan people. This is an original retelling that keeps the wit and warmth of the tradition alive for young readers.
More Anansi stories
Anansi and Sefu’s Hidden Spring →
Anansi and Allo’s Secret Well →
Explore more Anansi
- Who is Anansi? — meet the clever trickster spider of Ghana.
- See Anansi in 360° — his spider and human forms.
- More free stories for ages 7–8
