The lessons of Anansi and the magic stick: Applying ancient wisdom to modern life

Anansi and the Magic Stick is a popular African folktale that has been passed down through generations. It tells the story of Anansi, a cunning and mischievous spider who always manages to outwit others with his cleverness. In the tale, Anansi comes across a magical stick that has the power to grant any wish. Excited by this discovery, he decides to use the stick to his advantage. He goes to the king and offers to sell the stick to him, promising that it will bring him great wealth and power. The king, intrigued by the idea of having such a powerful tool, agrees to buy the stick from Anansi.

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

But when they tease him for being lazy, he says he is hard at work thinking and will have to find a new place to sleep, that is to think, for all the noise they are making. Quickly making off with this wonderful object, our arachnid trickster puts it to work for him, but finds the magic getting out of control when he dozes off, and subsequently forgets how to end the enchantment.

The king, intrigued by the idea of having such a powerful tool, agrees to buy the stick from Anansi. However, Anansi secretly sets a condition that the king can only use the stick when he is alone and no one else is around to witness it. The king, eager to test out the stick, puts it to use immediately.

Anansi and the Magic Stick

Anansi the Spider steals Hyena's magic stick so he won't have to do the chores, but when the stick's magic won't stop, he gets more than he bargained for.

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Lazing about while all of his neighbors work hard on their houses and in their gardens, Anansi the spider is annoyed when he becomes a laughing stock, and sets out on a walk. Happening upon Hyena's place, which is neat and tidy despite its owner's indolence, Anansi discovers that Hyena possesses a magic stick which does all of the work for him. Quickly making off with this wonderful object, our arachnid trickster puts it to work for him, but finds the magic getting out of control when he dozes off, and subsequently forgets how to end the enchantment.

As author Eric A. Kimmel notes in this brief author's note, the story here, adapted from the Liberian tale of The Magic Hoe, bears some resemblance to The Magician's Apprentice. It's the classic narrative of magic getting out of control, when used by somebody who doesn't have the training to master it. This telling is entertaining, and the accompanying artwork from Janet Stevens, who also worked on Kimmel's previous Anansi retellings (Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, Anansi and the Talking Melon, and Anansi Goes Fishing), is humorous and appealing. I particularly liked the flood scene, in which both Kimmel and Stevens are depicted - the one with a pencil, the other with a paintbrush - as being swept along with all of the animals. Recommended to readers who enjoy Anansi stories, and to young folklore enthusiasts in general. ( )

This book is a fun read aloud for children. About a lazy spider who tries to use a magic stick to do his cleaning. This book has colorful illustrations. ( )

Anansi the spider is made fun of by all of his friends because his house and yard are always a mess. He grumbles away, trying to find somewhere else to go to take a nap, but he stumbles upon Hyena's house. He sees a magic stick that takes orders from Hyena, his secret to keeping his house perfect without any work. However, the magic stick ends up being more than Anansi can handle, eventually causing a big flood when Anansi tries to take a nap. Hyena finds the stick and tells it to stop, but a big lake is left. All the animals realize that the lake is there to stay, so they must enjoy it. Anansi even builds a houseboat and lives on the lake, floating around peacefully with no responsibilities.

I liked this story and loved the fun illustrations. It's kind of hard to determine the theme or moral, however. At first, I thought it was about consequences to laziness or shortcuts. However, since the spider is still lazy at the end, I am not sure what the moral of the story is. Either way, I think that it would be a fun story to share with students and give them a glimpse into a West African folktale. ( )

a small spider gets made fun of a lot and then he finds a magic stick and there is a flood, then he sleeps on a raft

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He starts making wishes and quickly realizes the power it holds. He wishes for gold, diamonds, and all sorts of riches, which magically appear before him. He becomes overwhelmed with joy and greed. Anansi, noticing the king's obsession with the stick, decides to play a trick on him. He disguises himself as a beggar and approaches the king, pretending to be in desperate need of money. The king, wanting to demonstrate his newfound powers, grants the beggar's wish for riches. Anansi then asks the king if he too can have a turn with the stick. The king, wanting to show off his generosity, agrees without suspecting any foul play. Anansi quickly snatches the stick and runs away, leaving the king stunned and powerless. Anansi, now in possession of the magic stick, uses it to his advantage. He wishes for delicious food, beautiful clothes, and a massive mansion. Everywhere he goes, he creates chaos and mischief, causing people to fear him. However, his reign of trickery doesn't last long. The animals of the forest, tired of Anansi's deceitful ways, decide to teach him a lesson. They form a plan to steal the magic stick from him and put an end to his pranks. With their combined efforts, the animals manage to grab the stick from Anansi and break it into pieces, dispersing its magic. Anansi is left powerless and humiliated, realizing the consequences of his actions. The tale of Anansi and the Magic Stick is often used as a cautionary tale, reminding people of the dangers of greed and deceit. It teaches us that dishonesty and manipulation may bring short-term benefits, but they will ultimately lead to our downfall. The story encourages honesty, humility, and kindness as the true paths to happiness and success..

Reviews for "Anansi and the magic stick: Lessons in outsmarting adversity"

1. James - 2 stars - I was quite disappointed with "Anansi and the Magic Stick". The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters seemed underdeveloped and their actions didn't make much sense. Additionally, the writing style was abrupt and didn't flow well. Overall, I found it difficult to connect with the story and was left unsatisfied.

2. Sarah - 1 star - This book was a major letdown for me. The plot was overly predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey. The writing style was dull and lacked descriptive language, leaving me feeling unengaged. I wouldn't recommend "Anansi and the Magic Stick" to anyone looking for an exciting and captivating read.

3. David - 2 stars - "Anansi and the Magic Stick" fell short of my expectations. The story felt rushed and poorly paced, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. The dialogue between the characters felt forced and unnatural. Furthermore, the resolution of the story was unsatisfying and left loose ends untied. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in substance and coherence.

4. Emily - 3 stars - "Anansi and the Magic Stick" was an okay read for me. While the concept was interesting, the execution fell short. The writing style was simplistic and lacked depth, making it feel more like a children's book rather than a story for all ages. Additionally, the characters lacked development and their interactions felt superficial. Overall, it was an average read that didn't leave a lasting impression.

5. Michael - 2 stars - I was quite underwhelmed by "Anansi and the Magic Stick". The story lacked creativity and failed to grab my attention. The pacing felt off, with slow parts dragging on and fast-paced moments feeling rushed. The plot felt disjointed and inconsistent. While the book had potential, it unfortunately didn't deliver.

The cultural significance of Anansi and the magic stick in African folklore