Hi, Rebecca Shear here. Before we get to our story, exciting news.
Circle Round is going back on tour. with live recordings across the united states our first stop Sunday, October 5th in Parker, Colorado at the Pace Center.
And Circle Round Club members are invited to a special post-show meet and greet with me and composer Eric Shimalonis.
Get your tickets at wbur.org slash circle around and click on events.
We're announcing more tour stops soon, so stay tuned.
We look forward to circling around with you live.
Produced by the iLab at WBUR Boston. Have you ever been on a team?
Maybe you've played team sports. or you've partnered with kids in your class on a project.
Being a good teammate or partner is all about give and take. take.
But in today's story, we'll meet a mischievous fellow who's far more interested in the taking.
I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called The Perfect Partnership.
Versions of this folktale come from Ghana in West Africa, where you'll often hear stories about the trickster Anansi.
Some really great people came together to bring you our tale, including two public radio favorites.
Joshua Johnson and Sam Sanders. Joshua hosts 1A. the daily talk show from NPR and WAMU 88.5.
Sam hosts NPR's weekly podcast, It's Been a Minute.
So circle around everyone for the perfect partnership.
It was the height of fishing season, and Anansi had a hankering for fresh fish.
Mmm, I could sure go for some nice flaky tilapia or tuna.
Yeah, tuna would be good. But here's the thing about eating fresh fish.
You have to catch them first. And a Nazi wasn't big on hard work.
Let's see, first I'd have to build some traps, then set them in the water, then check them for fish, then pull in the catch.
Just thinking about all that hard work makes me Sleep.
Anansi may not have been a hard worker, but he was a quick thinker.
His specialty was being clever. and outwitting people who weren't as bright as he was.
Ha ha! I know what I'll do. I'll find myself a partner.
Someone I can trick into doing all the work, then I'll take all the fish and eat it myself.
Myself. Anansi walked along the water's edge, searching for the perfect partner. he spotted a fisherman carrying a large tuna.
Its silver scales glistened in the sunlight.
Anansi felt his mouth water. Hello there, friend.
Tell me, where did you get that beautiful tuna fish?
The fisherman grinned. What, this tuna here?
I caught it today. Right here in these waters.
Did you now? I did. Tell me... Anansi flashed his warmest smile.
How would you feel about... Having a partner.
A fishing partner? Yeah! The fisherman thought for a moment.
Then he slipped the tuna fish into his basket, extended his arm, and shook.
Anansi's hand you have yourself a deal partner meet me bright and early tomorrow morning and we'll get started The next day, just as the sun was beginning to rise, Anansi dragged himself out of bed to meet the fishermen.
Ugh. I haven't woken up this early since... Since...
Well, since never. But it'll be worth it once I trick the fishermen into catching all my fish.
When Anansi reached the water, the fisherman was already there waiting.
In one hand, he held a large knife. Good morning, partner.
I can hardly wait to get going. So? What do we do first?
Well, we can't catch a fish without a trap, right?
So I'll go into the forest, cut down some palm branches, and build us a set of traps.
Anansi couldn't help but notice. The fisherman said, I.
Not we. But while you're cutting down branches and building traps, what am I supposed to do?
I'm glad you asked. We're partners, right?
So we'll split the chores. While I'm doing all the hard work, You're the one who'll get weary and exhausted.
Oh, and it's a super steamy day, so you'll do all my sweating for me, too.
Now remember, Anansi was not big on hard work. partly because he disliked feeling weary and exhausted, not to mention sweaty.
Wait a second! Why should I be the one to feel pooped and sticky?
Why don't I cut down the palm branches and you get tired and hot?
The fisherman smiled and held out the knife.
As you wish, partner. Then he plopped down in the shade of a palm tree.
Anansi took the knife and began scrambling through the trees and cutting down branches, while the fishermen panted and yawned on. on the grill.
Look at that fisherman. All wore out over there.
It's a good thing I'm gathering these palm branches.
Otherwise, I'd be an absolute mess just like him.
After an hour of chopping and hacking, Anansi brought his palm branches over to the fishermen.
The fisherman looked as if he would fall asleep any minute.
Wow, that sure is a big pile of branches, Anansi.
Carrying it to the water will be back-breaking work.
But we're partners, right? So I'll bring the branches to the shore while you get a sore back.
Now, if you think Anansi disliked hard work because it makes you tired and sweaty, Well, he definitely wasn't a big fan of aches and pains either.
Wait, wait, wait. I don't want my back hurting.
I will carry the branches and you will get the sore back.
The fisherman smiled. As you wish, partner.
Anansi scooped up the palm branches and trekked over to the water.
The fisherman followed behind, clutching his back and moaning.
This partnership is turning out even better than I'd imagined.
First the fisherman gets all zonked out, then he nearly breaks his back.
Meanwhile, I get all the easy jobs. You are winning, Anansi.
As soon as Anansi reached the shore and dropped the palm branches on the ground...
The fishermen collapsed in a heap. Nicely done, Anansi.
Now, the next step is to weave the palm branches into fish traps.
I'll show you how you just go over, under, over, under.
It's pretty intricate work, and you'll probably get a stiff neck and even stiffer fingers.
But we're partners, right? So I'll weave the traps while your neck and fingers get sore.
Well, knowing what you know about Anansi, when he heard the fisherman's newest offer, you can probably guess his reaction.
No way! No stiff neck and fingers for me.
Let's make that your job. I will weave the traps.
The fisherman stopped clutching his back and smiled.
As you wish. partner. While Anansi worked, the fisherman grabbed his neck and clenched his fingers groaning woefully.
It's official. I'm a genius. Look how beautifully my plan is playing out.
I'm on my way to getting fresh fish and the fisherman is more miserable than ever.
When Anansi was done weaving the traps, the fisherman walked over, flexing his fingers and massaging his neck.
These traps are beautiful, Anansi, especially for a beginner.
Now I just need to set them. The fisherman picked up the traps and was about to take them to the water when Anansi stopped him.
Wait! If you set the traps, what do I have to do?
The fisherman arched his eyebrows. Well, there are a lot of fish in those waters, and many of them like to bite.
But we're partners, right? So while I set the traps, you'll feel the sting of the fish bites.
Anansi began to tremble. Fish bites? Nuh uh.
I'll set the traps, and if a fish bites me, you will feel the sting.
Anansi grabbed the traps from the fishermen.
As he bolted toward the water, the fishermen smiled.
As you wish, partner. Once Anansi was done setting the traps and he emerged from the water unbitten, He and the fishermen agreed to meet the next morning and see what they'd caught.
Anansi watched the fisherman limp away. The poor guy was rubbing his back, neck, and fingers and whimpering softly.
You know, I almost feel sorry for the fisherman.
But hey, we're partners, right? And tomorrow, this partner is going to get all of the fish.
Ha ha ha! Will Anansi succeed in tricking the fishermen?
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Hiring Indeed is all you need. need. Welcome back to Circle Round.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called The Perfect Partnership.
When we left off, Trickster Anansi had forged a partnership with a fisherman.
Anansi hoped to fool the fisherman so that he could take home all the fish they caught.
So far, Anansi thought he was getting the better end of the deal.
He cut down palm branches while the fishermen got tired.
He wove and carried fish traps while the fishermen got sore.
Then he set the traps in the water so that if he got bitten by a fish, the fishermen would feel the sting.
When Anansi and the fishermen met up the next day, long before breakfast, they found two fish flapping and flopping inside the traps.
Well, partner, we did magnificently well.
Look at this. Two fish. Anansi's stomach rumbled.
Yes! Two fish! both fresh and plump as can be.
Now, I know what you're thinking. You do?
Yes, you're thinking that as partners, we ought to divide these two fish between us.
But what we have is a perfect partnership.
I insist you take these two fish for yourself.
And tomorrow, when we no doubt catch four fish, I will take the catch.
Anansi quickly did the math. He would get just two fish while the fishermen got four?
Nonsense, partner. Yesterday was such an exhausting, back-breaking day.
The least I can do is let you take these two fish, and tomorrow I will take the four.
The fishermen tried protesting, but Anansi insisted.
All right, then. Whatever you wish, partner.
And the fisherman ate the two fish himself.
The next day, just as the fishermen had predicted, the traps contained four fish.
All right, Anansi. I promised you yesterday, and I am a man true to my word.
These four fish are yours. I will take tomorrow's fish, whatever the catch.
And at the rate we're going, we're bound to get eight.
Having skipped out on yesterday's fish, Anansi was getting hungry, but why settle on just four fish when he could have eight?
You know what, partner? Why don't you take the... for fish we've caught today, and I'll take what we catch tomorrow.
Once again, the fishermen tried to argue, but Anansi stood firm.
Okay, then. Whatever you wish, partner.
And once again, he ate all four fish himself.
The next morning, the fisherman was right again.
Eight fish were flapping and flopping around in the traps.
Only by now, the traps were starting to fall apart.
The weaving was coming undone. and the branches were getting slimy and slippery.
The fisherman took hold of the traps and ran his finger over a slick edge.
Anansi. Today's catch was magnificent. Eight beautiful fish. these traps, though.
Instead of using them another day, I think we should sell them at the marketplace.
Your weaving is so magnificent. I bet they could fetch an amazing price.
What do you say I take the fish traps to sell and you take the eight fish to do with as you like?
Eat them, sell them, whatever. By now, Anansi was ravenous.
But when he heard the fishermen say the traps could fetch... an amazing price.
He forgot all about his belly and thought more about his wallet.
Well, it's like you say. I did weave those traps myself, so why don't you take the eight fish?
And I'll sell the traps and collect the cash.
The fisherman smiled. Whatever you wish.
The fisherman collected his eight fish. Anansi hoisted up his slimy, disintegrating traps. and the two men headed to the marketplace.
In no time at all, the fisherman had sold all of his fish.
Anansi, on the other hand... Well, try as he might to get someone to buy his traps.
Fish traps. Get your fish traps here. All he got were chuckles and odd stares.
Within hours, everyone in town had heard about Anansi.
He was surrounded by hundreds of people, all of them pointing at his crumbling traps and laughing their heads off.
Anansi was so humiliated, he threw the traps to the ground and dashed out of the marketplace.
He ran straight into the fisherman, who had witnessed the entire thing.
Well, hey there, partner. Anansi hung his head.
Hi. I hope you learned an important lesson, Anansi.
I did. And maybe you'll think twice before trying to trick someone again?
Maybe. Anansi lifted his head and looked at the fisherman with twinkling eyes.
But hey, what kind of partner are you anyway?
When everybody was laughing and pointing just now.
The least you could have done was gotten embarrassed for me.
Anansi and the fishermen laughed. But thanks to their perfect partnership, Anansi had indeed learned an important lesson.
A few, actually. He learned how to collect branches and weave fish traps.
He learned how to set the traps and catch fish.
And, most important of all, he learned that when you try to make a fool of somebody else, you're bound to make an even bigger fool of yourself.
Thank you. Hmm. Now it's your turn. Think about a time when you were a good partner.
Maybe you helped a friend solve a crossword puzzle.
Or you helped a grown-up do chores around the house.
Find someone you like to have fun with, a family member, a friend. and tell him or her what you did to be a team player and how it made you and your partner feel.
¶¶ This week's story, The Perfect Partnership, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shearer. and edited by Circle Round's executive producer, Jessica Alpert.
Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Special thanks to this week's performers, Joshua Johnson and Sam Sanders.
Grownups, you can hear Joshua as the host of 1A, the daily talk show from NPR and WAMU 88.5. and be sure to check out sam's weekly npr podcast it's been a minute The featured instrument in today's story was the marimba.
You can learn more about this member of the percussion family and see a picture on our website.
If you haven't yet subscribed to Circle Round, Find us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.
And please write us a review. We'd love to hear what you think of the show.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
Thank you. I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us.
