“Time for bed, boys!” Uncle Junior stands up from his chair.
“No! Please! One more story!” The two boys beg for another story on the verandah. Isabella pets Anansi. Uncle Junior smiles at these young men. They love to learn. He loves them. He sits again.
“I recall another funny day with our little Anansi,” he begins.
“Anansi fears the storm before it arrives. Anansi slinks inside when clouds gather, when the wind begins to blow, and when the air grows cool.”
“Chaos and Mayhem invite Anansi out to play. Chaos and Mayem are huge dogs. They live just across the road. Chaos is brown with a head like Tatu’s basketball. Mayhem is white with a different sort of head. His manner of play is smashing his right paw down onto his playmate. Anansi loves these giants.”
“Chaos finds Anansi with head pushed into a corner. Anansi hates rain. Any sign of storm sends Anansi indoors. A dark sky during day time dampens Anansi’s enthusiasm for the outdoors.”
“These giant friends want to lead Anansi from fear into good times.”
“Anansi must choose between two favorites: hiding from rain, and playing with big dogs. Anansi loves to romp outdoors with big dogs. But indoors offers comfort from dark clouds and cool temperatures which warn of rain to come.”
“The big dogs beckon. Anansi ponders the facts. Rain has not yet begun. When the rain begins to fall, shelter is close by. Perhaps just a few minutes outside with Chaos and Mayhem will be safe. Staying close to home is wise. Anansi will not have far to run when the weather goes bad.”
“Anansi self-negotiates and self-compromises. Finally, Anansi heads out with Chaos.”
“Anansi soon forgets the negotiations and the compromise and the fear. When Mayhem joins the game, Anansi thinks of nothing but the sport of romping dogs.
These giant friends provide a tunnel through Anansi’s fear. These friends provide a bridge over inaction and indecision. Friends provide distraction through a storm.”
anansi99@hotmail.com