Anansi and the Tiger

As told in the old Jamaican way — where wisdom walks in laughter and trickery meets its match.

It was a hot afternoon in the forest, and Anansi, the clever little spider, was wandering about looking for food. But as usual, he didn’t want to work for it. He wanted to find an easy meal — and someone else’s if possible.

That was when he saw Tiger — strong, proud, and fierce — roasting a big, juicy piece of meat over a fire. The smell filled the air, rich and tempting.

Anansi licked his lips. “Mmm, Tiger, that looks delicious! What a fine feast you’re having today!”

Tiger grunted. “Yes, Anansi, and I caught it myself. I went hunting early this morning.”

“Ahh,” said Anansi, smiling slyly. “And you must be tired, my friend. Why don’t you rest a bit under that tree while I watch your meat? I’ll make sure it doesn’t burn.”

Tiger, thinking Anansi was showing kindness, nodded. “A good idea. But don’t touch my food, you hear? I’ll be back soon.”

Anansi chuckled and bowed. “Touch it? Me? Never, sah! You can trust me!”

As soon as Tiger walked away, Anansi snatched the meat off the fire and gobbled it down until not a crumb remained. When Tiger returned, licking his chops and stretching, the spider was sitting by the fire, fanning it coolly with a leaf.

“Ahh,” Tiger said, sniffing. “Something smells different. Where’s my meat?”

Anansi looked shocked. “Your meat? Oh Tiger, you won’t believe it! A big breeze came through the forest — whoosh! — and just like that, it carried your meat away!”

Tiger’s eyes narrowed. “A breeze, eh? The breeze must have left the grease on your chin, Anansi.”

Anansi quickly wiped his mouth. “Grease? Oh no, sah! That’s just sweat from worrying about your meat!”

But Tiger wasn’t fooled. He roared so loudly that the birds flew from the trees. “ANANSI! You tricked me! You ate my food!”

Anansi jumped to his feet. “Tiger, calm yourself! Let’s not fight. I’ll show you where there’s even more meat — bigger than what you had!”

“Where?” growled Tiger.

“Right over the river, my friend,” said Anansi. “But we must cross it carefully. Tie this rope around your waist so I can pull you if the water gets rough.”

Tiger agreed. The moment he stepped into the river, Anansi tied the other end of the rope to a big rock and rolled it down the hill — splash! Tiger went tumbling, roaring, and sputtering as the current swept him away!

From the riverbank, Anansi laughed until his eight legs shook. “Tiger, you too greedy! You shoulda share when you had the chance!”

Later, when Tiger crawled out of the river, wet and angry, he vowed, “One day, Anansi, one day I’ll catch you!”

And from that day on, whenever Anansi saw Tiger coming, he scurried up the nearest tree — because though he was clever, he knew the saying was true:

“Play wid trouble, an’ trouble will one day play wid you.”

 Moral of the Story:

Greed and trickery may bring a quick reward, but honesty and sharing last much longer.

Related Anansi Stories

• 👉 Anansi and the Corn Tree

• 👉 Anansi and the River Fish

• 👉 Anansi and the Hot Pepper Soup

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