Trickster Tales

The stories of Anansi, the most famous spider in West Africa, have been passed down for generations.  B.O.L.T, the Atascocita Teen Advisory Board, is providing a puppet show this afternoon about this clever character.  Below are a few of my favorite trickster tales. 

Anansi and the Talking Melon retold by Eric Kimmel

A clever spider tricks Elephant and some other animals into thinking the melon in which he is hiding can talk.

Note: If you missed the puppet show and craft, I would also recommend visiting the PBS site to "Explore Africa."

 Coyote and the Laughing Butterflies  retold by Harriet Peck Taylor

 Pinduli by Janell Cannon

Pinduli, a young striped hyena, is hurt by the unkind words of Dog, Lion, and Zebra, but her clever trick in return promotes her clan's survival and spreads harmony throughout the savannah. Includes notes about hyenas and other animals of the African savannah.

 The Red Hen and Sly Fox by Vivian French

A kind and clever hen manages to outwit the sneaky fox that hopes to make her his next dinner.

     The Three Cabritos by Eric A. Kimmel

Retells, with a southwestern United States setting, the traditional tale about three billy goat brothers who trick a beast that lives under the bridge.

 The Three Little Javelinas  by Susan Lowell

A southwestern adaptation of "The Three Little Pigs."

The photograph of the dawn spider was provided by Vintage Collective on Flickr. Thank you.