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AGES 5-6 • 10 pages • about 3 min to read together
Kweku tries to keep a magical river’s reflection for himself, then learns that clever choices must help the whole village.
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PAGE 1 OF 10
Near Kweku Anansi’s village flowed a river so clear it shone like blue glass. People said the river could show the truth of a person’s heart.
PAGE 2 OF 10
Kweku leaned over the water and saw clouds, birds, and his own bright eyes. “If this river is so special,” he whispered, “maybe I should keep its magic safe for myself.”
PAGE 3 OF 10
The next morning, Kweku carried stones, sticks, and mud to a narrow bend. He built a little dam across the river and smiled at his clever work.
PAGE 4 OF 10
Soon the river slowed to a trickle. The grass near the bank bent low. A thirsty antelope waited. Auntie Ama looked at her empty water pot and sighed.
PAGE 5 OF 10
Then a small shining bird landed on a reed beside Kweku. Its feathers flashed blue, green, and gold. “Kweku,” the bird chirped, “look into the water now.”
PAGE 6 OF 10
Kweku peered into the shallow pool. He expected to see a proud, clever boy. Instead, he saw dry grass, drooping flowers, thirsty animals, and worried faces.
PAGE 7 OF 10
“That is not me,” Kweku said softly. The bird tilted its head. “The river shows what your choices do. A clever plan is not clever if it hurts others.”
PAGE 8 OF 10
Kweku’s cheeks grew warm. He ran to the dam and began moving the stones aside. “Please help me,” he called. “I made a mistake.”
PAGE 9 OF 10
The villagers helped. Monkey tugged sticks away, the children carried small stones, and Auntie Ama scooped mud from the bank. Soon the river laughed and flowed again.
PAGE 10 OF 10
When Kweku looked into the clear water, he saw a boy who had learned to share. He smiled. From that day on, Kweku used his clever ideas to help the whole village.
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.
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- 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
