Lazy Anansi

The patterns are similar, not different.

The patterns show that there is good in everyone.

The patterns show that one is good while the other is not.

The patterns show that each action has a consequence.

The patterns show that each character is trustworthy.

Anansi suffers consequences

Anansi ate all the food his friends made

The spider finds ways to survive instinctively

Anansi is to blame to show why all spiders are ugly

Anansi avoids work

He continues to be dishonest

He helps his friends cook.

says, "I'll come back later"

He avoids helping his friends cook.

says, "I have things to do."

People who are lazy don’t get to benefit from others’ hard work.

Sometimes people take advantage of the kindness of their friends.

Sharing food with others is a good way to show that you care.

People are less likely to share with you if you don’t help them in some way.

“‘I'll tie one end around my leg and one end to your pot. When the greens are ready, pull on the web string. I'll come right away.’” (Paragraph 3)

“By the time Anansi arrived at the river, each of his eight legs was tied to a pot of delicious food. Then, Anansi felt a pull on one of his legs.” (Paragraph 6)

“And a fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth pull. Everyone was pulling on the web strings at the same time!” (Paragraph 7)

“But his legs would not return to their normal shape. Anansi was too embarrassed to go to any of his friends that day.” (Paragraph 8)

A. A spider’s friends work together to punish their lazy friend who never helps them.

B. A spider’s legs are stretched out when he’s too lazy to help his friends prepare food.

C. A spider doesn’t know how to cook for himself, but his friends are there to help him out.

D. A spider is embarrassed when all of his friends invite him to dinner at once.

A. It reveals that Anansi’s friends never planned to let him eat their food without working.

B. It shows how Anansi suffers consequences for not helping his friends prepare their food.

C. It stresses how important it is for Anansi to learn how to make or catch his own food.

D. It shows how Anansi is to blame for why all spiders are ugly