Cooperation

On Your Own: Have you ever tried to do something hard, but it was too much to do for one person? What did you do? How did you decide to get the project done? What special talents do you have that would help others - perhaps you are you strong? big? small? or perhaps you are you clever with words? talented with machines? or have a good sense of direction? How will your attributes help others? Think for a minute about how many skilled workers it takes to build a house. Who are they? How would they have to cooperate to make the job run smoothly?

In this classic story about Anansi and his Six Sons, you will see how having a special talent is a good thing.

Anansi and His Six Sons

Long ago in West Africa there lived Anansi. He was a father to six sons. Each son was named for the skill they had been blessed with. The first son, See Trouble (look through hands like binoculars), was given the gift of seeing trouble from far away. His second son was called Road Builder (make monster truck noise). Anansi’s third and thirsty son was named River Drinker (sluuurrrrppp-ahh!). Game Skinner (swish) was his fourth son. The next in line was Stone Thrower (chuck a stick). Youngest of all the sons was Cushion (oooo---ahhh). Cushion was very soft.

One day, Anansi went for a walk. He walked and he walked...and he walked...many miles far away from home. Soon he found himself in trouble. He had fallen into a river (kersplasha!) and been swallowed by a large fish. (Gulp!)

Back at home, Anansi’s son, See Trouble, had sensed that his father was in danger. He climbed to the top of a tall tree and looked way far away. He could see what happened. He rushed to his five brothers and cried, “Father has fallen into trouble! We must go help him! Follow me!” The brothers rushed to save their father.

The second son, Road Builder (monster truck sound) made a road for them to travel on. As the sons approached the bank of a river, Road Builder asked, “See Trouble, where is our father now?”

“It seems that he has fallen into this river, and a fish has swallowed him whole!” exclaimed See Trouble.

River Drinker quickly took a big gulp of the river (slllurrrrp!). He left no trace of water. The only thing lying where the river had once been was a single fish. “Quick! Someone get our dear father out of the fish’s belly!” howled River Drinker.

Game Skinner, came to his rescue. He cut open the fish (swish-swish) and pulled out his father. However, the trouble did not end here. Just as Game Skinner had retrieved his father from the stomach of the fish, a bird flew down from the sky (hand in air like a bird - caw-caw) and took Anansi into his beak.

Stone Thrower decided it was his turn to help. He pitched a stone into the air (throw stick hi-yah) and it hit the bird. Anansi came tumbling down (ahhhhhh). Cushion ran to his father’s aid. He positioned himself under Anansi and allowed for a soft landing (boing, boing, boing).

The family of spiders happily returned to their home. They had a big celebration. That night, Anansi found something rare in the forest. It was a big ball of light. He decided that this beautiful globe would be given to the son who had rescued him. “Which of my six sons is the most deserving of this wonderful gift?” Anansi asked himself. Since each of his sons had been so helpful, Anansi could not choose just one. He would take this problem to Nyame, Sky God.

Anansi asked Nyame, “O Great Nyame, what should I do? Each of my sons helped me. Who deserves this ball of light?

Nyame took the ball of light and said, "Anansi, many hands came together to save you. This light belongs to all who carry a light in their hearts to help others in need." He then, took the beautiful white light and threw it high the sky, for all to see. It still remains there tonight shining down as a reminder that what one cannot do, many can do together.