Anansi - yi mahwai, na vwai - Anansi, the crows, and the crocodiles

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Aurora

A Ghanaian folktale about Anansi, the crows, and the crocodiles, presented in both translated English story form and original shindzuani narration. The story centers on a severe famine and how the crows, with access to food from an avocado tree, help Anansi when he asks for hot coals. Anansi’s clever deception escalates when he returns for more, leading to disbelief and crying, until the crows ultimately feel sympathy and give him feathers to continue the journey together.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time35 min

The Famine and the Avocado Tree

Anansi Asks for Hot Coals

The Deception and the Crows’ Doubt

Sympathy, Feathers, and the Shared Flight

Anansi, yi mahwai, na vwai Anansi, the crows, and the crocodiles Translated by Robi Szabo and Melanie Miles shiNdzuani, English Story Book Copyright © 2019, Cam Houser [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) You are free to make commercial use of this work. You may adapt and add to this work. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. Translated by Robi Szabo and Melanie Miles Adapted from original, Copyright © 2014, African Storybook Initiative. Licensed under CC-BY 4.0. Anansi, the crows, and the crocodiles Writer: Ghanaian folktale Illustration: Wiehan de Jager Anansi, yi mahwai, na vwai Anansi, the crows, and the crocodiles Translated by Robi Szabo and Melanie Miles Writer: Ghanaian folktale Illustration: Wiehan de Jager Images by Wiehan de Jager, © 2014 African Storybook Initiative. CC-BY 4.0. Peace Corps Comoros shiNdzuani, English Ndzuani, Comoros Suku moja, shahula shikomo ntsini pia. Wantru wengi wako kiya ndza swafi. Ya makwai tu de wa kana shahula. Kula asubuhi, ya makwai wa yoha mbali swafi maana vwaka mzavuka. Umzavuka waka harimwa mrodribwavu. One day, there was a great famine. Many people were very hungry. Only the crows had food. Every morning, the crows flew very far because there was an avocado tree. The avocado tree sat in the middle of a large river. Kula suku ya makwai wa regeya na zavuka nyengi na wa ladza wadjemazawo.Anansi a wona zi zavuka namimba yahe yi triya fidjo. Atso para zavukaa namna jeje? Everyday the crows returned with avocados and fed theie families. Anansi saw the avocados and his stomach rumbled. How could he get the avocadoes? Anansi afikiri swafi. A kadza ngizi ya nyoshi mpatsaju ya nzu yahe. Ivo a renga bundru ya nyungu na a endra a wone ya makwai.“Samahani. Basi utso shindra nisaidiya?” awadzisa.“Itsolazimu ni para maha yamoro maana moro yangu yi zimi.” Anansi thought hard. He coverd his bottom with honey. Then he took a piece of clay pot and went to see the crows.“Please, could you help me?” he asked.“I need a hot coal because my fire went out.” Ya makwai wa endre wa vinge maha ya moro. Anansi akentsi uju mwa zavuka dribwavu. Yi zavuka yi sikidzampatsaju ya nzu yahe! Anansi a rongowa marahaba, ivo a lawa. The crows went to bring the hot coal. Anansi sat on a large avocado. The avocado stuck to his bottom! Anansi said thank you to the crows, then left. Be zavuka moja kayi mutosha Anansi. A regeya tsenana a renga tsena. Mara ya raru, ya makwaikawamuamini. Makwai warongoa,“Usija warengemaha ya moro tsena maana ntrini?” But one avocado wouldn't satisfy Anansi. He returned again and he took another one. The third time, the crows didn't believe him.“Why are you coming to take more coals?” they said. Anansi a djibu,“Nahi waswili dagoni, yi maha ya moro yi zimwa kamwe!” “Eh wawe! Usi hada!” ya makwai warongowa.“Usi zunguwa shahula shatru TU!” “Zo ntrambo!!” Anansi a rongowa na hulia. Anansi answered,“When I get to my house, the hot coals have already burnt out!” “Hey! You are lying!”the crows said.“You are only looking for our food!”“That's not true!!” Anansi said crying. Ya makwai wa muvereha. Asubuhi ijau, kila kwai amuva puzi moja. Anansi na makwai wa yohana mzavuka harimwa mro dribwavu. The crows felt sorry for him. The next morning, every crows gave him one feather. Anansi and the crows flew together to the avocado tree in the middle of the big river.

FAQs

What event starts the story’s conflict?

A great famine leaves many people hungry, but the crows still have food from an avocado tree.

How does Anansi first ask the crows for help?

He requests a hot coal because his fire went out, and he claims it is necessary for his own needs.

How do the crows respond when Anansi returns for more?

They doubt him after the third time, challenge his reasons, and call him a liar until they finally feel sorry and help him with feathers.

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Aurora