98. The Boy fools Anansi. [[Note]]
Richard Morgan, Santa Cruz Mountains.
One boy went to Hanansi yard, an’ Hanansi an’ he mudder made up to kill de boy. Me’while, de boy hear what dem say. Hanansi went away fe one of his country-men help him to kill de boy. As Hanansi gone, de boy kill Hanansi mamma, tek off de coat an’ de sucker, put it on an’ cook up de ol’ lady. When Hanansi come, de ol’ lady gi’ dem deh dinner. An’ he say, “Ma, [[127]]wha yo’ got stren’t te kill a big big boy?” De boy said, “Yes, me pickney.”—“Ma, a wan’ water.” De ol’ lady gi’ him de water. An’ said, “Lawd, dis fellah fat!” De boy tek time an’ tek off de coat an’ de sucker, t’row it down an’ run, went away. Hanansi tumbled down,—“Lawd! a me mamma been nyam!” An’ run after de boy but couldn’t catch him. So it’s only de boy ever fool Hanansi!
99. The Water Crayfish. [[Note]]
Moses Hendricks, Mandeville.
There was a wealthy woman, but she had no children. She was always wishful of adopting a child. So she went down to the river to bathe one morning as usual and she saw a pretty baby. She was so glad she took it home and she made a pet of it. She employed a girl called Tamanty to care for the child, and Anansi to be the watchman to watch and see if the girl cared for the child.
So it happened one day she had to go out, so she left them to take care of the child. Anansi wanted all along to get rid of this girl Tamanty. Tamanty was sweeping the house and the little child was playing with the broom. Anansi winked to the girl and said, “Lick him wi’ the broomstick! lick him wi’ the broomstick!” The girl took the broomstick and hit the child. The child started running for the river. Anansi and Tamanty started after her, calling out, “Come back, Miss Nancy, come back!” The child said,
“No na no, Tamanty! no na no, Anansi!