Ananse Tales(The Beginning - Chapter 2)

Reluctance

Kwaku climbed the coconut tree at the back of their house to pluck a coconut for his father. He had been doing so ever since he learned how to walk. He smiled as he tossed a ripe coconut to his father. He climbed down from the tree and joined his father.

"This coconut is big, father. I am sure we will have a lot of coconut water to drink," he said to his father. Agya Nimo looked fondly at his twelve-year-old son and wished his wife were here to see how smart and handsome Kwaku had become. Taking care of him hasn't been easy, but he was glad Kwaku had grown up to become a smart and adventurous boy. He remembered the numerous adventures his son had told him about. The adventures his son said he had had with his friends.

‘I just hope he takes it easy with his adventures,’ he thought.

They arrived at the house and Awo Esi, Kwaku’s grandmother, came out of her hut to sit on one of the stools in front of the hut. Kwaku rushed to greet her and she responded.

“Aren’t you supposed to be studying our culture and history from Agya Ahor around this time?” she asked Kwaku. Kwaku frowned and folded his arms. It was quite clear he didn’t want to go to Agya Ahor’s house to learn from him.

“I don’t want to study history, grandmother. It is very boring. All Agya Ahor talks about is how our ancestors came to this land. He doesn’t talk about any new.”

He said. Agya Nimo laughed at the statement his son had made. He greeted his mother as well and sat beside her. He put the coconut on the ground and asked his son to sit on his lap.

"Agya Ahor may seem dull, my son, but he is the wisest man in this village. He knows so much about our people and culture. He has to educate the youth of Nkrumah, as your other teachers my son. Everything each of your teachers teaches you is very important. You enjoy the fighting lessons you learn as well as the farming, fishing, carving, and dancing lessons. History lessons are also very important. You are twelve years old now, so you need to know all about our people."

"But father, he talks about the same thing all the time. It just gets so boring."

"I know, son. I also learned from him. That is how he teaches. He spends so much time on a lesson before he moves on to the next. He will soon move on to the interesting part. That is when you will enjoy history. Go in and change your clothes and go see him."

Kwaku was confused about the words his father had just told him. There was no way history would ever become interesting. He sighed heavily and went to his room to change his clothes. No matter how much he hated that lesson, he could never avoid it.

He finished changing and said goodbye to his father and grandmother. He just hoped his father was right. If history doesn't become entertaining, he will rather spend the lesson time at the riverside.

Kwaku started walking very slowly so that he would arrive at Agya Ahor’s house late, and he prayed the lesson would be over by then. The path was very dusty due to the dry season. His washed feet now looked like he had intentionally bathed them in the sand. He sighed heavily.

'I wish all this will end. I can't wait to finish my education, and I hope the gods will give me the career I want. I will be a warrior since I am so good at fighting.' He thought and smiled. He saw Kofi the coward approaching him from the path on his left. He stopped and waited for him to join him.

"If it isn't Kwaku Ananse himself, who will it be? You and I are the only ones that hate history. Our friends are probably there by now." said Kofi.

Kwaku glared at his friend. "How many times have I told you to stop calling me Ananse? I am not a spider," he said angrily. Kofi rolled his eyes at him.

"You and I know that is what everyone calls you. You exhibit the features of the spider. You take your time and trap people just as the spider traps its prey. You then use their words against them.   If they do not stop lying, you make sure you devour them. Everyone knows not to lie in front of you."

Kwaku was about to retort when Kofi continued talking.

"Let me finish, Kwaku. You also solve all the riddles and problems thrown at us by our teachers very strategically and quickly. You are just like the spider that finds the feeding areas of its prey quickly and captures it by weaving its web strategically. You really are Kwaku Ananse." Kofi continued. Kwaku shook his head. There was nothing he could do to stop his friends from calling him Kwaku Ananse.

“Come on, Kofi. Let’s go before Agya Ahor tells our parents we were late for his lesson.” Kofi nodded and followed Kwaku Ananse to Agya Ahor’s house.

Chapter 1 👈      👉Chapter 3

Author: George Ewusi Mensah