Ananse's Magical Rope and the Witch Monkey: A Dark African Folktale

Ananse owed Monkey money,

but couldn't pay,

so Monkey whipped Ananse.

The next day Monkey came and whipped Ananse again.

Ananse told his mother,

"Build a fire, put me in a pot,

and hide me in the ashes."

But Monkey was a witch who saw hidden things,

and he found Ananse in the ashes.

He whipped Ananse again.

Another witch gave Ananse a magic rope.

Ananse climbed the magic rope.

Monkey climbed up the rope after him.

Ananse yelled, "Rope: be cut!"

Monkey fell down and broke his neck.

Then Ananse yelled, "Rope: be tied!"

and he climbed down safely.