AGES 0-4 • 12 pages • about 3 min to read together

Kweku Anansi tries to teach Piku the little blue bird a solo song, but Zith the cricket joins in and turns it into a joyful band.

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Kweku smiles in a sunny village, ready to sing.

PAGE 1 OF 12

Kweku Anansi was a clever boy with a very big smile. He lived in a village where the sun was always warm. Today, Kweku felt like singing a very special song.

Kweku walks to a giant baobab tree where Piku the blue bird waits.

PAGE 2 OF 12

Kweku walked to the giant, ancient baobab tree. High up in the branches sat Piku, a little blue bird. Piku was very quiet, looking down with bright, curious eyes.

Grandmother Efua walks past Kweku with a basket on her head.

PAGE 3 OF 12

Kweku’s grandmother, Efua, walked past with a basket on her head. “The village is full of music if you listen, Kweku,” she said with a wink.

Kweku stands on tiptoe and whispers to Piku in the baobab tree.

PAGE 4 OF 12

Kweku wanted Piku to sing just for him. “I will teach you my best song!” Kweku whispered. He stood on his tippy-toes so Piku could hear him better.

Kweku claps and wiggles while singing under the baobab tree.

PAGE 5 OF 12

Kweku began to sing a silly tune. “La-la-loo, zig-zag-zoo!” He clapped his hands and wiggled his hips. Clap, clap, wiggle!

Piku sings from the branch while Kweku cheers below.

PAGE 6 OF 12

Piku the bird listened closely. Then, Piku opened his tiny beak. Chirp-chirp-loo! the bird sang. Kweku cheered because Piku was learning the song!

Zith the tiny cricket listens from the tall grass near the baobab tree.

PAGE 7 OF 12

But someone else was listening in the tall grass. It was Zith the cricket. Zith had long, springy legs and a very shiny shell.

Piku sings from the tree while Zith joins from the grass.

PAGE 8 OF 12

Piku sang Chirp-chirp! from the tree. Then, Zith the cricket joined in from the grass. Creak-creak! went the cricket’s legs.

Kweku looks confused as Piku and Zith join his song.

PAGE 9 OF 12

Kweku tried to sing his “La-la-loo” again. But every time he opened his mouth, Zith went Creak-creak! and Piku went Chirp-chirp! Kweku felt very confused.

Kweku smiles in confusion as the bird and cricket make a wild mixed-up song.

PAGE 10 OF 12

The song was changing! It wasn’t “La-la-loo” anymore. It was a wild mix of Chirp, creak, zoo, zig! Kweku tried to keep up, but he forgot his own words.

Grandmother Efua taps her feet to the rhythm under the baobab tree.

PAGE 11 OF 12

Grandmother Efua came back and heard the noisy tree. She began to tap her feet to the rhythm. “What a wonderful song you all made together!” she laughed.

Kweku laughs happily with Piku above and Zith in the grass below.

PAGE 12 OF 12

Kweku looked up at the bird and down at the cricket. He didn’t have a solo song anymore, but he had a whole band. “Being clever is fun,” Kweku chuckled, “but being noisy with friends is better!”

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.