Anansi the spider was a trickster who lived in a small village in Africa. A witch named Five lived in Anansi’s village, too. Five did not like her name, so she cast a spell on the village. Anyone who said her name would fall asleep for a year.

Soon after, there was a famine all across Africa. A famine is when there is not enough food to eat. Anansi, his wife, and his children had no food and were starving.

Anansi noticed that Rabbit had some corn and came up with a brilliant plan for how to steal it. Anansi went to visit Rabbit and politely asked: “How many piles of corn do you have?”

Rabbit counted his piles of corn out loud: “One, two, three, four, five.” As soon as the word “five” came out of his mouth, Rabbit fell fast asleep.

Pleased with himself, Anansi gathered Rabbit’s corn and carried it home. Rabbit’s corn lasted Anansi’s family for a few weeks, but then they ran out and were hungry.

This time Anansi tried his trick on Squirrel. It was a great success! Squirrel’s corn fed Anansi’s family for another few weeks, but then it ran out and they were hungry.

Anansi decided to try the same trick on Goose. But Goose was too smart for Anansi; she knew what the trickster was up to.

“How many piles of corn do you have?” Anansi politely asked Goose.

Goose smiled and counted out loud: “One, two, three, four… And the pile that you’re sitting on.”

Anansi was furious that Goose didn’t fall for his trick like the other animals did.

“No,” he shouted, “That is not how you count. Watch me: one, two, three, four, five.” Anansi fell asleep as soon as the word “five” came out of his mouth.

This time it was Goose who was please with herself. Not only did she trick the trickster, but she was still left with... How many piles of corn?