Thousands of years ago, there were no books or movies. People shared stories by telling them out loud. Over time, these stories were passed down from person to person. Today we call them folktales. There are folktales from all over the world. The one you’re about to read comes from a place in Africa. Today that place is a country called Ghana.
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Art by Natasha Nayo
What Is a Folktale?
You’re going to read a play that’s based on a folktale. Here are some facts to know first.
By Gabby Bing | Art by Natasha Nayo
From the October/November 2026 Issue
Featured Skill:
Key Ideas and Details,
Standards
1. A folktale is a story from long ago.
2. Folktales often teach a lesson.
Many folktales are still popular today. One reason is that they teach us life lessons. For example, they can teach us the importance of working hard or being kind to others. They can also teach us about facing our fears and being brave.
3. Many folktales include magic.
Folktales often include talking animals, magical objects, or characters with special powers. Magic can help characters solve difficult problems. It also makes folktales exciting! In the story “Cinderella,” a fairy godmother uses magic to help a poor girl meet a prince. (You might know “Cinderella” as a fairy tale. Fairy tales are a type of folktale!)
4. You might meet trickster characters.
Tricksters are clever characters. They get their way by tricking more-powerful characters. Tricksters can be animals, people, or even gods. The folktale you’re going to read is about a trickster spider named Anansi (uh-NAHN-see). Turn the page to learn about his tricks!
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