Long ago, in the beginning of time, when the world was still young, the sky god Nyame looked down upon the earth and saw that people struggled without wisdom. They could not understand the stars, the rivers, or the seasons. They quarreled often, and their lives were full of confusion. Out of compassion, Nyame decided to gather all the wisdom of the world into one clay pot. The pot was strong and smooth, sealed at the top so none of the wisdom would escape.

Nyame called for Anansi the Spider, who was known for his cleverness and his love of tricks. “Anansi,” the god said, “I will give you this pot of wisdom. You must take care of it and share it with all the people on earth so they may live better lives.”

Anansi bowed and accepted the pot, but in his heart he thought differently. Why should I share this treasure? he mused. If I keep all the wisdom for myself, then I will be the wisest creature alive, and everyone will look up to me.

So instead of spreading wisdom, Anansi hid the pot in his home. Every day he peered into it, trying to absorb the secrets of the world. Yet greed gnawed at him. He feared someone else might discover his treasure. At last he decided to climb the tallest tree in the forest and hide the pot at its peak, where no one could reach it.

He tied the pot tightly with rope and fastened it to his belly. With great effort, he began climbing. But as he struggled upward, the pot banged against his knees, making him slip and slide back down the trunk. He tried again, and again he failed. Sweat rolled off his brow, and his many legs trembled with frustration.

Watching from below was Anansi’s young son, Ntikuma. The boy tilted his head and called out, “Father, why do you tie the pot to your belly? If you tie it to your back, you will climb easily.”

Anansi stopped, astonished. Here he was, in possession of all the wisdom in the world, yet his small son, who had none, had seen the simple solution that he could not. He tied the pot to his back as Ntikuma suggested, and this time he climbed swiftly to the top of the tree.

But when he reached the highest branch, a great shame filled his heart. What is the use of hoarding wisdom, he thought, when even with the pot in my hands, I cannot see what my child can see? In anger and embarrassment, Anansi hurled the pot down. It crashed upon the ground, breaking into countless shards. The wisdom inside scattered like seeds.

The wind carried it to the four corners of the earth. Birds lifted it to the skies, rivers carried it to the seas, and people picked up pieces wherever they fell. And so, wisdom spread across the world, never to be held by one creature alone.

To this day, it is said that no single person is wise in everything. Even a child can teach something new, and wisdom belongs to all.