Long ago, when humans knew nothing at all, life was simple and difficult. People did not understand how to grow food, weave cloth, shape metal, or build tools. There was no farming, no craftsmanship, and no progress. All knowledge, wisdom, and skill belonged to the great sky god Nyame. Nyame kept this wisdom hidden from the world, sealing it carefully inside a single clay pot, because he believed that knowledge was powerful and must be protected.
As time passed, Nyame chose Anansi, the clever and talkative spider, to receive this pot of wisdom. When Anansi looked inside the pot, he instantly learned new things. He discovered how people could plant crops, make fabric, work with iron, and solve problems using intelligence instead of strength. Each glance into the pot made Anansi wiser, and soon he realized how valuable this wisdom truly was. Instead of sharing it, greed filled his heart. Anansi thought that if he could hide the pot somewhere unreachable, all the wisdom of the world would belong to him alone.
Anansi decided to hide the pot at the top of a very tall tree. He spun a long silk thread and tied the pot tightly to his stomach, believing this was the best way to carry it while climbing. However, as he climbed higher, the pot kept bumping against his knees, making each step painful and slow. No matter how clever Anansi believed himself to be, he struggled to climb with the pot in that position.
Below the tree stood Anansi’s young son, who had been watching everything quietly. Seeing his father struggle, the boy asked an innocent question. He suggested that instead of tying the pot to his stomach, Anansi should tie it to his back, where it would not get in the way. Anansi followed the advice, and immediately climbing became much easier. With little effort, he reached the top of the tree.
Once Anansi arrived at the top, a troubling thought entered his mind. He realized that even though he possessed the pot of wisdom, his own son had shown greater understanding in that moment. If the boy could think of a better solution, then Anansi was not the wisest being after all. This realization shattered his pride. Overcome with anger and jealousy, Anansi grabbed the pot and threw it violently down to the ground.
The clay pot broke into countless pieces, and all the wisdom it contained spread across the land. Knowledge flowed freely to everyone. From that moment on, humans learned how to farm, weave cloth, forge iron, and develop countless skills. Wisdom no longer belonged to one god or one spider. It became shared by all people, which is why humanity was finally able to grow, learn, and shape the world as it is today.