The Trickster Reborn
It’s always been said that no one was born a villain. This saying might be true, but not when it comes to this character. Kwaku Ananse the trickster has always had a bad reputation. Through generations and in many different legends, the story of Kwaku Ananse is always a bitter one. He is known for his selfish, cunning tactics, for getting what he wants, and always getting away with it too.
Odomankoman Onyankopon had grown tired of reports about Kwaku Ananse and his devious ways. Upon deliberation with the other gods, a decision was made. The spirit of Kwaku Ananse was too valuable to be destroyed, but still his actions must be curtailed. The solution was reincarnation. Kwaku Ananse’s spirit would be allowed to live on in a human, for a time, to test how well he would behave. But there was a catch; he was never to fall in love.
A big compound was surrounded by a high wall. In its centre sat a one-storey building. The door of the house was painted a light blue, and before it stood a girl of about eighteen years of age, her hair and skin the colour of the sun in the morning. She was quite short, with honey-brown eyes and a small pink mouth. Suddenly, she frowned and proceeded to knock rather hard, three times.
“I have been knocking for a while, Kwaku,” Pokuaa said, taking two steps back as the door opened.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Kwaku answered. “Grandma just took a while to wake up today. You know I cannot leave the house without giving her medicine. Come here.”
He pulled Pokuaa into a hug, overshadowing her with his tall frame. He had turned eighteen just last week so still wore the aura of a teenager. He was darker than Pokuaa, but with the same honey-brown eyes. His hair was so jet black, it looked as though it had been dyed.
Squirming in Kwaku’s arms before relenting, Pokuaa muttered, “This is what I get for coming to your house early. I have missed you though.”
“I have missed you too, Pokuaa Ewura Owusu,” Kwaku replied.
Pokuaa grinned. “I’m so glad my mom is allowing me to finish this school term with you. If we both choose the same university, we can still stay together.”
“I am not so sure about that,” Kwaku said quietly.
They separated and began walking away from the house.
“About what exactly?” Pokuaa asked. “Going to university, or going to university with me?”
“I know your family does not like me, Pokuaa.”
“Just answer me.”
“You know what I’ll say. I just want you to be at peace with your family.”
Pokuaa squeezed his right hand firmly. “It doesn’t matter what my family thinks of you. If they want me to be at peace with them, then they’ll have to accept you. Till then, forget.”
“But Pokuaa…”
“No, Kwaku. You have been my best friend since class four. Do you think I want to give that away? After all these years? As I said, forget them.”
Pokuaa tugged on Kwaku’s hand so they could hurry to school, but he did not budge.
“It’s not that simple.” he said. “I know we can forget about this topic for now, but it will definitely come back later. So, I have to tell you now...”
Pokuaa paused, looking up at him. “What do you mean?”
“I am not going to university with you.”
“You know I can help you with finances if it comes to it.”
“Don’t you get it?” Kwaku’s tone sharpened. “I am not going to university... with you! I’ll choose a university far away from you.”
Pokuaa laughed in panic. “What are you talking about?”
“You heard me, Pokuaa. Let’s not make this a big deal.”
“Yeah, right. You’re such a jerk, you know that!”
With a push, Pokuaa shoved Kwaku aside and stormed off, not allowing him to catch up.
A Mother’s Fear
It was 5:45 in the evening. Kwaku paced in front of his house, his face troubled with concern and apprehension. Occasionally, he scratched at his hair. Suddenly, the big gate opened, and an elderly woman stepped in. Her brown hair was tied in a bun, and she wore a blue bubu. Her expression was angry.
“Where is my daughter, hmm?” Mrs. Owusu demanded as she approached Kwaku.
“Isn’t she home? I was actually waiting for her to come around so we could do our homework together,” Kwaku answered.
“I always said you were a bad influence,” Mrs. Owusu said, unimpressed. “With how my daughter is so attached to you. For your information, she is not home. And in the morning, she boldly told me she would still be walking with you to school. So, stop the tales and give me my daughter.”
“But I’m telling the truth, Ma-”
“Ei, ei, ei! I’m not your mother oo. Don’t call me Ma.” Her voice broke, and suddenly she began sobbing. “Just give me my daughter, I’m begging you. Eii! It’s been three hours past her usual time of coming home.”
“I’m not hiding your daughter, Ma, sorry, Mrs. Owusu. You know me better than this,” Kwaku pleaded.
She looked at him strangely. “I just want my daughter back, wherever she is. And I will not repeat myself again. Please leave her alone. We both know what will happen the longer you stay in her life.”
Kwaku quickly moved around her. “I promise I’ll bring her back to you, safe and sound.”
The Thicket of Secrets
There was a large thicket on both sides of the road that led to and from the village school. All students took care to keep to the straight path that eventually led home. But not today. Pokuaa, her anger towards Kwaku still fresh, ventured into the thicket, determined to avoid him at all costs.
After walking a few miles, she was no longer in sight and found herself deep among the trees, far from the main path. Presently, a figure appeared behind her, keeping a sturdy pace and tracking her steps.
“What is a pretty girl like you doing in here with someone like me?” the man asked.
Pokuaa gasped and turned. “Who are you? And why are you following me?”
“Oh, but this is my territory,” the man said with a wicked grin. “I do what I want.”
His body was scaly all over, with a round shiny head. His smile was menacing. Pokuaa’s heart raced as she stared at him, trying to hide her shaky hands.
“Well, I am going home, and I think you should leave me alone,” she said.
“What if I don’t? I need to punish you for disturbing my sleep.”
“My friend was right behind me,” Pokuaa lied boldly. “If he sees you, I think you’d be the sorry one for trying to hurt me.”
The man shrieked. “I don’t see anyone, pretty girl!”
Pokuaa turned on her heels and ran. “Kwaku! Kwaku, help!”
The scaly man leapt forward and kicked her from behind. Pokuaa fell hard but quickly turned, dragging herself away. The man crawled towards her on all fours, smiling as he licked his lips.
“You’ll make a nice dinner today.” he said.
“And I’ll decapitate you tonight,” came another voice.
In a blink, Pokuaa’s view of the scaly man was blocked by Kwaku’s tall frame. She shrieked, not from the man, but from Kwaku himself. Even in the growing darkness, she saw it clearly—four hands instead of two sprouting from his sides like a spider’s, and his eyes jet black.
“I’m so sorry,” Kwaku whispered.
He lunged at the scaly man, tackling him to the ground. The fight was too quick for Pokuaa to comprehend. She scrambled to her feet and fled; her school bag forgotten. Breathless, she collapsed beneath a tree, but before she could rest, a figure dropped down from the branches. She shrieked again, trembling violently.
“Please don’t eat me, I’m begging you.” she cried, hiding her face in her palms.
“It’s just me, Kwaku,” he said gently.
Peeking from between her fingers, she stammered, “You… you… youuuuu…”
“Calm down, you’re safe,” Kwaku said softly, approaching her with care.
She backed against the tree, sobbing. “I saw you… you… you’re not human…”
“It’s just your imagination…”
“Liar! I know what I saw!”
“You imagined it, yes.”
“Why are you lying? I saw you; I can swear on my mother’s life!” she cried, her anger mixing with fear.
“Please don’t.” Kwaku begged, edging closer.
“Then tell me the truth. I demand it!”
“I need you to calm down first. Come here.”
Begrudgingly and reluctantly, Pokuaa crawled into Kwaku’s arms. Her body quivered, and deep inside her mind, she knew she ought to run away from this same person and the horrors of the thicket.
“You’re not human… and… and to think that I…” she began, but before she could finish, she fell into a deep sleep.
Kwaku sat for a long time beneath the tree, watching her sleeping form.