Anansi & His Socks

Anansi & His Socks

Anansi the spider man was proud of his fifty six socks. That’s eight socks for each feet for every day of the week!!! Phew!

Every week, he divided his socks into categories and always got himself into a terrible muddle trying to do so.

He wore his animal ones on Mondays, but on this particular Monday, he got them all mud-stained by tackling in a rugby game.

He wore his spotted ones on Tuesdays, but on this particular Tuesday, he tore four of them climbing a mango tree because he was trying to show off.

He wore his glittery ones on Wednesdays, but on this particular Wednesday, they were all stolen by greedy crows when he hung them out to dry.

He wore his multi-coloured ones on Thursdays, but on this particular Thursday, all the colour drained away because he had been swimming for hours.

He wore his striped ones on Fridays, but on this particular Friday, he lost them all when he ran to the market before closing time.

He wore his flowery ones on Saturdays, but on this particular Saturday, he was attacked by a swarm of bees and had to throw them all away.

He wore his black ones on Sundays, but on this particular Sunday, while he was ironing, he burnt a gigantic hole in one of them.

Anansi suddenly realised that he didn’t have any socks to wear. And this particular Sunday was very important. This Sunday he was invited as best man for Brother Dog’s wedding. And all the shops were presently shut.

“Oh dear me! Oh dear me.
What am I going to do?
I’m best man and I don’t have any socks!”

Anansi hurried to Brother Tiger’s house who lived on Stripy Avenue, two streets away.

“Brother Tiger, Brother Tiger, I need to ask a favour,” he shouted, whilst banging on the door. But there was no answer.

Anansi hurried to Brother Monkey’s house who lived On Swing Lane, three streets away.

“Brother Monkey, Brother Monkey, I need to ask a favour,” he shouted whilst banging on the door. Mrs Monkey came out with a frown on her face and a baby on one arm.

“Pardon me, Mrs Monkey, so sorry to disturb. Is Brother Monkey at home?”
“He’s out. He won’t be back until midnight,” she said, slamming the door.

Anansi hurried to Brother Bullfrog’s house who lived on Ribbit Street, four streets away.

“Brother Bullfrog, Brother Bullfrog, I need to ask a favour,” he shouted, whilst banging on the door. Slowly, the door opened slightly.

“Ribbit, ribbit, who is it?”
“It’s me. I need a favour.”
“And what might that be? Ribbit.”
“I need to borrow some socks. I don’t have any and I’m the best man for Brother Dog’s wedding.”
“Ribbit, come inside.” He opened the door a little wider; just enough for Anansi to slide in, then closed it fast.
“Ribbit, will these do?” Brother Bullfrog Croaked, taking out eight mismatched socks.

Anansi gingerly took them and attempted to put one on. But the smell of stale cabbage and musty cheese wafted up his nose.

“Mr Bullfrog, I cannot wear these because they won’t match my suit,” Anansi lied.
“Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit. These are all my best pairs! Take them or leave them.”
“Thanks all the same, Mr Bullfrog, I’ll not take them.” With that, he dashed out with dizzy speed. He had to be at the church in ten minutes.

“Oh dear, what am I going to do, now?” He shouted. Anansi wasn’t aware that Brother Cat was watching. Brother Cat had been stalking Anansi, scheming how to stop him from going to Brother Dog’s wedding. He was jealous because Anansi always out-dressed him and always took the lime light at every special event. This time, as well as the bride, Brother Cat was determined to standout.
“Can I help?” Brother Cat asked sneakily.
“Yes, Brother Cat. I need to borrow some socks. I don’t have any and I’m the best man for Brother Dog’s wedding.”
“I think I can help. Follow me.”
Anansi didn’t hesitate and obediently followed. Brother Cat led him down Bay Alley, a notorious gangster area.
“Stay right here.”

Suddenly, a gang of ten big cats came at Anansi. “Deal with him, guys. Make sure he doesn’t get out,” said Brother Cat and jump out of a hole, sniggering.

The cats blind folded Anansi, tied him up and left him alone in the dark alley way.
Anansi was both shaken up and vex at Brother Cat’s deception.

“I’ll show him. I’ll show him. Socks or no socks, I’ll be at that wedding!”
With a twinkle of the eye, Anansi started shrinking. Before long, he had shrank so small that the rope around his legs slipped off. He swiftly pulled off the blind fold then squeezed out of a small crack. What Anansi didn’t realise was he had stepped into some aluminous yellow paint.

“And now can the best man step forward with the ring,” the minister repeated.”
Everyone turned around again.

“It looks like the best man’s not coming, so I’ll step forward instead,” said Brother Cat bouncing with pride towards the altar in a flamboyant three piece suit.
“Oh no you won’t,” said Anansi bursting open the church doors. “Have no fear, Anansi is here!”

There were gasps, ooohs, arrhs and cheers as Anansi strolled calmly down the aisle acknowledging everyone and looking like royalty. He wore a black tailored jacket, black top hat, black waist coat, a yellow bow tie and had eight aluminous yellow feet. Everyone swarmed around like the paparazzi to take photos.

“Anansi,” said Brother Dog, “Where did you get those socks? They are the best socks I’ve ever seen!”

“Well, you know me, I know how to make an entrance, “said Anansi.

As Brother Cat tried to make a quick exit there was a loud rip. Brother Cat had torn his expensive trousers. The crowd burst out laughing as the cat, feeling rather embarrassed, disappeared, never to compete with Anansi again!