The Impossible Challenge

S1: Long ago, along the coast of West Africa . . .

S2: . . . a powerful king ruled the land.

S3: His palace was filled with golden treasures.

King Kofi: Everyone loves my riches. But I want them to respect my wisdom!

S1: He was jealous of Anansi the spider.

S2: Anansi was famous all over the kingdom for being wise.

S3: The king wanted to prove that he too was wise. So he invited the villagers to his palace to ask him for advice.

S1: That’s when the trouble began . . .

Adviser 1: Your Majesty, two villagers are here.

Adviser 2: They won’t stop fighting.

King Kofi: What is the problem?

Farmer: His goat ate all my yams!

Goat Keeper: His yams made my goat sick!

King Kofi: The answer is simple! Just, uh . . .

S2: The villagers stare at the king, waiting.

King Kofi (nervously): Um . . .

Farmer: Maybe we should ask Anansi.

King Kofi: Ugh, not Anansi the spider!

Goat Keeper (whispering to the farmer): Good idea.

Farmer: Let’s go!

S3: Anansi and his wife, Aso, shop at a market.

Anansi: Should we buy meat for dinner?

Aso: We don’t have enough money. Let’s get rice instead.

S1: The goat keeper and the farmer rush over.

Goat Keeper: Anansi!

Farmer: We need help!

S2: They tell their story.

Anansi: That’s easy. Farmer, give the goat keeper herbs from your garden to make goat medicine.

Farmer: OK!

Anansi: Goat keeper, give the farmer goat milk to sell instead of yams.

Goat Keeper: Done!

Anansi: Then build a fence together so this never happens again.

S3: The farmer and the goat keeper agree.

Aso: Your wisdom is a gift, Anansi.

Anansi: Wisdom can’t buy us food. We need money!

Aso: We don’t need more money. Your wisdom is worth as much as gold!

S1: Anansi sees the king’s soldiers.

S2: He has an idea.

Anansi (yelling): I’m the most clever creature in all the land!

Aso: Anansi, stop! What are you doing?

Anansi: I’m even wiser than the king!

Soldier: You know better than to insult the king!

S3: Before Anansi can say another word, the soldiers arrest him.

S1: The soldiers drag Anansi to the king.

Soldier: Your Majesty, Anansi was saying he is wiser than you!

King Kofi (angrily): How dare you compare yourself to me, spider!

S2: Anansi bows, glancing at all the gold.

S3: He hides a smile. His trick is working.

Anansi: I was only trying to get your attention. Give me any task, and I will complete it.

King Kofi: If you are sooo wise, then get me Tiger’s three golden treasures.

S1: Tiger’s gold plate and cup serve the tastiest meals and drinks.

S2: Her gold sandals can make anyone run as fast as the wind.

Adviser 1 (gasping): Your Majesty, that is an impossible task!

Adviser 2: Tiger is dangerous. She eats all her visitors.

King Kofi: If you succeed, Anansi, you may take all the riches you can carry. But if you fail, you must leave my kingdom.

Anansi: I accept.

King Kofi (to himself): Soon I will be the wisest in the land.

S3: Anansi is walking to Tiger’s house.

S1: He sits by a river to rest and eat a snack.

River: Yum! Can I try?

S2: Anansi’s stomach growls. He’s hungry.

S3: But he knows that sharing now might come in handy later.

Anansi: I’ll share . . . if you agree to help me when I return.

River: I will!

S1: Anansi tosses some food into the water.

S2: Then Anansi feels pinches on his leg.

Anansi: OUCH!

S3: It’s some fire ants.

Fire Ants: Will you share with us too?

Anansi: Only if you help me on my way back.

Fire Ants: We promise!

S1: The ants eat the rest of Anansi’s food.

Anansi: Why did I agree to do this? I’m so tired!

S2: Just then, a pair of yellow eyes flash before him.

Tiger (grinning): You can rest at my house.

Tiger: I’m so glad you’re here, Anansi! No one ever visits me.

Anansi (faking surprise): Really?

Tiger: I don’t get it. I don’t eat all my guests! Just the delicious ones. And the boring ones. And the ones who don’t compliment me.

Anansi (quickly): Well, your home is beautiful.

Tiger: Of course it is! Now get some rest.

S3: Anansi lies in bed . . .

S1: . . . but knows not to fall asleep.

S2: Later that night, Tiger sneaks in to eat him.

Anansi: Hello, Tiger!

Tiger (surprised): Why aren’t you asleep?

Anansi (lying): I can’t sleep without my golden sandals. Do you have any I can wear?

S3: Tiger gives her sandals to Anansi so he will sleep.

S1: But the spider stays awake . . .

S2: . . . until Tiger is so tired, she falls asleep.

S3: The next morning, Tiger makes breakfast.

Tiger: Anansi! Let’s eat!

S1: Anansi joins Tiger, wearing her sandals.

Anansi (lying): I can only eat and drink from gold. Do you have anything I can use?

S2: Tiger is fooled again. She hands over her golden plate and cup.

Anansi: Thank you!

S3: When Tiger isn’t looking, Anansi runs out of her house.

Tiger: ANANSI!

S1: She chases him. Even without her sandals, she starts to catch up.

S2: Then Anansi sees the group of fire ants.

Anansi: Friends! Help!

Fire Ants: Yes, Anansi!

S3: The ants bite Tiger.

Tiger: OWWW!

S1: Anansi runs to the river.

Anansi: River, help me!

River: Jump in!

S2: The river carries Anansi to the palace.

Tiger (growling): I will get you, spider!

S3: Anansi rushes into the palace.

King Kofi: You survived!

Anansi: Of course! Here are your treasures.

King Kofi (amazed): Anansi! You are a clever spider indeed. You shall be rewarded.

S1: The king leads Anansi through the palace.

S2: Anansi thinks of Aso’s words.

Anansi: Maybe my wisdom is enough . . .

S3: But then . . .

King Kofi: Here we are! My room of riches.

S1: Anansi is shocked to see so much gold.

S2: Anansi leaves with arms full of treasure.

Anansi: Aso was right. My wisdom is worth as much as gold. But it’s nice to have both!