Ananse The American Man

Everybody in Onyamekrom knew it as the stolen pot in which the spirits of their royal ancestors were kept in the past. But the true story about it was only known by just a few of the elders in the village. What was actually kept in that pot was pure gold dust, and not the spirits of any ancestors? The ancestors only tied some magical powers to the pot in order to protect it from intruders. Those magical powers were to haunt anybody who stole the pot until the fellow returned it. Ananse got to know the truth about the pot from his late father. As soon as memories of that story flashed in Ananse’s mind, he began to think of how to trick the innocent young man and take the pot of gold away from him. Ile sprang to his feet and raised his arms high towards the moonlit sky. He remained in that position for close to thirty minutes without uttering a ward. The young man became confused; he did not know what Ananse was up to. “Ah! Papa Ananse! Papa Ananse! What is happening-to you? What is the meaning of all this?” Fear began to grip him. The next thing that came into his mind was to grab his bag and run away. But Ananse was smarter. When he noticed that the young man was scared, he turned swiftly towards him and shook his body violently. It was as if he had been possessed by some spirits. The young man was scared to the marrow. Ananse began to dance like a fetish priest. He moved dizzily to the left on one foot and again to the right. He began to mimic the voice of a dwarf;”Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa! My son, do not be afraid! The gods of this land are with you! You are in safe hands! You have met the right person! You are free! The spirits of the ancestors will worry you no more! Just drop the pot of gold and leave immediately! Don’t talk to any other person in this village! Your presence must never be felt on this land! Drop the pot of gold now! And go! Go, go! Go in peace! You have been freed by the gods! Go now!” After saying these words, Manse jumped so high into the air and fell flat on the ground. Kweku Simpa dropped the pot of gold immediately. But before he left, he drew closer to Ananse and tapped his shoulder; “Papa Ananse! Papa Ananse, are you okay?” he asked. Ananse opened’ his eyes and intentionally asked; “My good friend, what happened? Tell me, why am l lying on the ground?” Ananse got up slowly, pretending to be very surprised. “Oh Papa Ananse, I thank the spirits for leading me to you. You can have the pot of gold! I must leave immediately!” The young man said with a shivering voice. “Oh, my good friend, please wait till it is morning. I want to take you to the chiefs palace, everybody will be glad to see you!” Ananse remarked intentionally. “No, no, no! I can’t, I can’t stay till gold and began to dance. In the morning of the following day, Ananse packed a few clothes of his and informed everybody that he was travelling to America.
Most of the village folks found it so hard to believe that Ananse was really going to America. Even his own wife and children knew that he was only up to a mischief. Ananse wanted to leave Onyamekrom at mid-morning. After informing almost all of his friends and neighbours about his journey to America, he finally got back to his house to get himself prepared. He took his bath quickly and began to dress up for the journey. Ananse put on an old oversized black suit, with a pair of green trousers and a pair of brown Indian shoes to match. He really looked horrible. in that outfit! But Ananse was very confident of his dressing. He walked out of his house so majestically with an old suitcase in hand. It was in that suitcase that he kept the pot of gold. Everybody who saw Ananse in town on that day, turned again to look at him for a second time. Most of the village folks just could riot help but burst into laughter when they saw Kweku Ananse. One old friend of his walked boldly to him and asked; “Eii Papa Ananse! You
really look smart this morning. Where are you busily heading to?” Ananse replied with a very proud look on his face. “Oh my good friend, I can see you are the only one who haven’t heard about my business trip!” “A business trip?” Ananse’s friend asked. “Oh yeah! My business partners in America have invited me to come and spend sometime with them. So even as you see me now, I’m actually on my way straight to America!” “Oh that’s good news, Papa Ananse! But I am a bit surprise; I never knew you had business partners in America!” “Oh don’t be surprised at all, that’s how the world is! Real businessmen like me do not usually fancy talking about themselves.
I hope you’re aware that it is only empty barrels that make the most noise!” “Oh I see! You have really enlightened me this. morning! But Papa Ananse, everybody around seems to be laughing at your dressing, have you noticed that’?” Ananse’s friend asked. “Oh my good friend, are you sure you have good eyes and ears? The people arc actually cheering me up! There is no way they can tease me! You see, these people are typical villagers, most of them have never seen an African man dressed like a white-man. They are very amazed at seeing me, this morning! Just look at and began to dance. In the morning of the
following day, Ananse packed a few clothes of his
and informed everybody that he was travelling to
America.
Most of the village folks found it so hard to believe that Ananse was really going to America. Even his own wife and children knew that he was only up to a mischief. Ananse wanted to leave Onyamekrom at mid-morning. After informing almost all of his friends and neighbours about his journey to America, he finally got back to his house to get himself prepared. He took his bath quickly and began to dress up for the journey. Ananse put on an old oversized black suit, with a pair of green trousers and a pair of brown Indian shoes to match. He really looked horrible. in that outfit! But Ananse was very confident of his dressing. He walked out of his house so majestically with an old suitcase in hand. It was in that suitcase that he kept the pot of gold. Everybody who saw Ananse in town on that day, turned again to look at him for a second time. Most of the village folks just could riot help but burst into laughter when they saw Kweku Ananse. One old friend of his walked boldly to him and asked; “Eii Papa Ananse! You
really look smart this morning. Where are you busily heading to?” Ananse replied with a very proud look on his face. “Oh my good friend, I can see you are the only one who haven’t heard about my business trip!” “A business trip?” Ananse’s friend asked. “Oh yeah! My business partners in AmeriCa have invited me to come and spend sometime with them. So even as you see me now, I’m actually on my way straight to America!” “Oh that’s good news, Papa Ananse! But I am a bit surprise; I never knew you had business partners in America!” “Oh don’t be surprised at all, that’s how the world is! Real businessmen like me do not usually fancy talking about themselves.
I hope you’re aware that it is only empty barrels that make the most noise!” “Oh I see! You have really enlightened me this. morning! But Papa Ananse, everybody around seems to be laughing at your dressing, have you noticed that’?” Ananse’s friend asked. “Oh my good friend, are you sure you have good eyes and ears? The people arc actually cheering me up! There is no way they can tease me! You see, these people are typical villagers, most of them have never seen an African man dressed like a white-man. They are very amazed at seeing me, this morning! Just look at
morning! I don’t want to die like my elder brother. I don’t want to die. I need to go back to my people. Please, please, let me go!” Kweku Simpa was still shivering as he picked his empty bag and began to run away.
“Oh my good friend, wait a minute! Let me show you the shortest route out of this village! That path you want to go by is too long! Come back for the right direction!” Ananse shouted at the Youngman as he watched him moving far and farther away. Ananse kept shouting until he was convinced that Kweku Simpa had left for good. He then began to laugh and jubilate; he went to pick up the pot of