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AGES 5-6 • 10 pages • about 3 min to read together
Kweku longs to hear the birds’ secret song, sneaks into their gathering in a feather cloak, then learns that honesty brings a better gift: the birds’ morning song for everyone.
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PAGE 1 OF 10
Kweku Anansi loved the sounds of morning. He loved the rooster’s call, the rustle of palm leaves, and the soft tap-tap of Auntie Ama sweeping her yard. But most of all, he loved the birds.
PAGE 2 OF 10
One day, Kweku heard the birds whispering in the silk-cotton tree. “Tonight is the Grand Bird Gathering,” chirped a weaver bird. “Tonight we sing the song that makes every heart peaceful.”
PAGE 3 OF 10
Kweku’s eyes grew wide. “May I come and listen?” he asked. The Eagle King spread his broad wings. “The gathering is for birds,” he said kindly. “You may listen from the ground when morning comes.”
PAGE 4 OF 10
Kweku wanted to hear the secret song up close. He gathered fallen feathers from the path, tied them carefully to an old cloth, and made himself a feathery cloak. “If I look like a bird, maybe I can listen,” he whispered.
PAGE 5 OF 10
At sunset, Kweku climbed softly into the branches. The birds did not notice him at first. Tiny finches, bright parrots, tall cranes, and the Eagle King all settled around the tree, ready to sing.
PAGE 6 OF 10
The song began low and gentle. Then it rose like warm sunlight. Kweku felt his chest fill with joy. The music sounded like rain on leaves, laughter by the fire, and quiet hugs after a long day.
PAGE 7 OF 10
Kweku forgot to be still. “Oh!” he cried. “That is the most beautiful song in the world!” The birds stopped. Feathers rustled. Every beak turned toward the boy in the feathery cloak.
PAGE 8 OF 10
“Kweku Anansi,” said the Eagle King, “you tricked us.” Kweku looked down at his sandals. “I am sorry,” he said. “I wanted to hear your song so much that I forgot to ask with an honest heart.”
PAGE 9 OF 10
The birds talked together for a long time. At last, the Eagle King nodded. “You may not sneak into our gathering again. But because you truly love the song, we will share a little of it every morning.”
PAGE 10 OF 10
From that day on, the birds sang at dawn for everyone in the village. Kweku listened from the ground with a grateful smile. He learned that a clever plan is best when it is honest and kind.
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 the Echoing Truth →
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 5–6
