Anansi the spider was a trickster. He lived in a small village in Africa.

A witch lived in Anansi’s village. Her name was Five. Five did not like her name. She cast a spell on the village. Anyone who said her name would fall asleep for a year.

One time, there was a famine in Africa. There was not enough food to eat.

Anansi’s family did not have food. They were very hungry.

Anansi saw that Rabbit had corn. This gave him an idea. Anansi went to visit Rabbit.

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

Rabbit counted. “One. Two. Three. Four. Five.” Rabbit said the word “five.” He fell fast asleep.

Anansi was pleased with himself. He took Rabbit’s corn and left. The corn lasted Anansi’s family for a few weeks. But then it was gone. Anansi’s family was hungry.

Anansi tried the same trick on squirrel. 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 asked Goose.

Goose smiled and counted her piles. “One. Two. Three. Four… And the pile that you’re sitting on.”

Anansi was mad that Goose didn’t say “five.

“No!” he said. “That is not how you count. Watch me. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.” Anansi fell asleep as soon as he said the witch’s name.

Goose tricked the trickster. Goose tricked Anansi into saying the word “five.” How many piles of corn did Goose have left?