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A to Z of Anansi the spider.
H is for Hunger and Hope
I talked a bit about hunger under F for Food. It was a probably a lurking specter that haunted most of the slaves. Anansi, to survive, must be clever in his efforts to acquire food.
He will trick his friends and trick strangers into giving him a meal.
Whether he wins or looses, Anansi never gives up hope. He is basically optimistic. I haven't read one story, at least not yet, where Anansi complains about his circumstances, where he moans and groans and blames someone else for his failures. He may not claim responsibility for his actions, but he doesn't point his finger (errrr hairy leg) at someone else.
If anything, failures make Anansi work harder at getting what he wants. I think he's pragmatic about life. He expects the worst and hopes for the best. That way if the worst happens he isn't surprised and he works through it. If the best happens, then he plays his fiddle and dances.
H is for Hunger and Hope
I talked a bit about hunger under F for Food. It was a probably a lurking specter that haunted most of the slaves. Anansi, to survive, must be clever in his efforts to acquire food.
He will trick his friends and trick strangers into giving him a meal.
Whether he wins or looses, Anansi never gives up hope. He is basically optimistic. I haven't read one story, at least not yet, where Anansi complains about his circumstances, where he moans and groans and blames someone else for his failures. He may not claim responsibility for his actions, but he doesn't point his finger (errrr hairy leg) at someone else.
If anything, failures make Anansi work harder at getting what he wants. I think he's pragmatic about life. He expects the worst and hopes for the best. That way if the worst happens he isn't surprised and he works through it. If the best happens, then he plays his fiddle and dances.
We could all learn a thing or two from Anansi!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
And that's a really good attitude to have.
ReplyDeleteAlex has beaten me to it, but I must agree that that's a good attitude to have! :)
ReplyDeleteHope is certainly something this world could use a little more of. Isn't it strange that most times those who have the least exhibit the most hope?
ReplyDeleteThinking like that certainly makes life easier.
ReplyDeleteAnansi's "never give up" attitude is what made me enjoy reading his adventures. Great lessons for all of us in this book of tales.
ReplyDeleteAnansi has a positive outlook on life, which keeps him going.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great lesson. My grandma always said "As long as you're alive, hope lives within you" and I believe it to be true. No matter how bad a situation is, there is always hope for a positive turn around if you have patience! Great post. Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
ReplyDelete"He expects the worst and hopes for the best. That way if the worst happens he isn't surprised and he works through it. If the best happens, then he plays his fiddle and dances."
ReplyDeleteA good strategy for life! :)
Anansi sounds like quite a little character.
ReplyDeleteM. J.
A - Z Co-Host
http://mjjoachim.blogspot.com
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Those who have the least have the most hope - interestingly, that's true (in the UK, anyway)for charity donations to worldwide charities. There's a socio-economic term I can't recall for people living on or just above minimum wage, and they're the people who persistently give to Unicef, Action Aid etc - charities helping those in dire need. Yet when charities are taken overall to include medical research, disease, UK charities and religious groups, overall professional and managerial people are the most frequent donors (although the amount they give is often not more than that given by those on the breadline). Sounds like we all need a little more Anansi :)
ReplyDeleteIt’s easy to blame someone else when things go wrong. Good on Anansi for resisting the temptation to do so.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good lesson, yeah. Great to see you again! Drop by at http://kelworthfiles.wordpress.com/
ReplyDelete