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A to Z of Anansi the spider.
T is for Trickster
What else? Tricksters can be found all over the world. They break the rules of the gods, of nature, and convention. Sometimes their tricks are malicious, as with the Norse god, Loki, but mostly their tricks end up with a positive result. They can be sly, foolish and humorous, thus making them very human.
Reynard the Fox: Germany
Do you have a favorite trickster?
The answers to Monday's Riddles are:
1.) My father has a tree full of apples and not a man can count them. What are they? Stars
2.) My mother put on a pot of food to boil; the top boil before the bottom. What is it? A pipe and pipe tobacco
3.) I walk up a hill. I meet a man. I cut off he head. I poke out he eyes. I drink he blood. I eat he flesh. I throw away he bones. What am I? A coconut
I didn't realize these riddles would be so hard. I thought at least one person would get one right. Alas... there is no winner. For those of you who actually gave it try, THANKS for playing. And I must be honest, I'm not good at riddles either.
T is for Trickster
What else? Tricksters can be found all over the world. They break the rules of the gods, of nature, and convention. Sometimes their tricks are malicious, as with the Norse god, Loki, but mostly their tricks end up with a positive result. They can be sly, foolish and humorous, thus making them very human.
Anansi is in good company.
A few famous tricksters include:
Reynard the Fox: Germany
Br'er Rabbit: Southern United States
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| In this picture Brer Rabbit is confronting Tar Baby. There's a tar baby story in my book Anansi and Company. |
Coyote: Native American
Don Juan: Spain
Puss in Boots: Italy, France
Bugs Bunny: United States
Hermes: Greece
Ivan the Fool: Russia
Maui: Polynesia
Morgan Le Fay: Wales
Ivan the Fool: Russia
Maui: Polynesia
Morgan Le Fay: Wales
Pan: Greece
Puck: Celtic
Robin Hood: England
Robin Hood: England
Captain Jack Sparrow: Hollywood
Sinbad: Arabia
Uncle Tempa: Tibet
Woody Woodpecker: United States
Sinbad: Arabia
Woody Woodpecker: United States
Do you have a favorite trickster?
The answers to Monday's Riddles are:
1.) My father has a tree full of apples and not a man can count them. What are they? Stars
2.) My mother put on a pot of food to boil; the top boil before the bottom. What is it? A pipe and pipe tobacco
3.) I walk up a hill. I meet a man. I cut off he head. I poke out he eyes. I drink he blood. I eat he flesh. I throw away he bones. What am I? A coconut
I didn't realize these riddles would be so hard. I thought at least one person would get one right. Alas... there is no winner. For those of you who actually gave it try, THANKS for playing. And I must be honest, I'm not good at riddles either.
In some creepy way, I've always been drawn to Morgan le Fay.
ReplyDeleteTricksters always add to stories.
ReplyDeleteSorry no one guessed your riddles.
Sorry, had no idea on those riddles.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Bugs Bunny - bonus!
Interesting - I would never have considered Robin Hood to be a trickster.
ReplyDeleteI knew it! I knew I had heard your last riddle and the answer was a foodstuff, but for the life of me I could not remember coconut. I think it was 'the bines' that threw me.
ReplyDeleteFunny I never thought of Bugs Bunny as a trickster before, but if course, you're right he is.
Captain Jack Sparrow -Hollywood ha, ha, ha!
Yet another common thread throughout the world. I love it! It's so amazing how similar humanity is on a base level.
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
You've chosen some great tricksters. Loved these pictures! My favorite among the ones you posted is Brer Rabbit!
ReplyDeleteLoki has to be my favourite trickster, but I love the rest too. Great choices :)
ReplyDeleteOh boy, I'm sorry none of us were able to answer those! I still enjoyed finding out the answers :)
ReplyDeleteI love a good trickster story, but I love even more seeing all of these characters side by side, here. I find comparative mythology totally fascinating!
I am not a fan of tricks. I do like a good harmless joke, but not a trick. I am a little serious I guess.
ReplyDeleteI don't like tricksters in real life, but I enjoy them in fiction.
ReplyDelete