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AGES 7-8 • 12 pages • about 3 min to read together
Kweku pretends to be thirsty so Allo will share the secret well, then learns that broken trust is difficult to repair.
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PAGE 1 OF 12
Kweku Anansi lived in a village tucked between two green hills. Near the river, hidden behind tall reeds, there was a stone well whose water shone clear as morning light.
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The villagers said one sip from the well could make a tired traveler feel strong again. But the well had a keeper: Allo, a great alligator who guarded it carefully.
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Kweku heard the story and felt curiosity buzzing inside him. He did not want the water because he was thirsty. He wanted to prove he could outsmart Allo.
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So Kweku walked to the riverbank with slow, wobbly steps. He held his stomach, lowered his voice, and acted as if he could hardly stand.
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Allo lifted his head from the cool mud. “Kweku Anansi, what troubles you?” he asked. “I am so thirsty,” Kweku whispered. “I have searched everywhere and found no water.”
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Allo looked at Kweku with kind eyes. “The well is secret,” he said, “but I will help you. Drink, and promise not to tell anyone where it is.”
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Kweku nodded quickly. He drank from the well, and at once his face brightened. His feet felt light, his eyes sparkled, and his orange scarf bounced as he stood tall again.
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By sunset, Kweku could not keep the secret inside. He hurried through the forest and told the birds, the monkeys, and anyone who would listen how he had tricked Allo.
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Forest news travels faster than feet. Before the moon rose, Allo heard the whispers. He went to Kweku, not roaring, not snapping, but looking deeply disappointed.
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“Why did you break your promise?” Allo asked. Kweku tried to laugh, but the laugh felt small. “I am clever,” he said softly, “and cleverness likes to be noticed.”
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Allo shook his head. “Water may flow freely, but trust is different. Once trust is spilled, it is hard to gather again.” Kweku looked down and understood.
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From that day, Kweku could not visit the secret well. He still loved clever ideas, but he learned that a promise is a treasure, and a wise person keeps it safe.
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 →
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
