Anansi (ah-NAHN-see), the spider, is a popular figure in the folklore of parts of West Africa (the stories later came with slaves to the Caribbean islands.) Like Brier Rabbit in America, Anansi is a 'trickster' figure - clever, cunning, and sometimes mischievous - who uses his wits to make up for what he lacks in size and strength. Tales by the fireside, also known as "Anansesem" are special epical bedtimes stories, which were told during the evening by an elderly person in the family or in the village. These were stories that have good morals, ditties and funny inclinations of educating the...