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    The World’s Oldest Stories: Mythology from Around the Globe
    The World’s Oldest Stories: Mythology from Around the Globe
    The World’s Oldest Stories: Mythology from Around the Globe
    Ebook118 pages1 hour

    The World’s Oldest Stories: Mythology from Around the Globe

    By Anam Rasheed

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    About this ebook

    "The World's Oldest Stories: Mythology from Around the Globe" takes young readers on an exciting journey through myths and legends from every corner of the earth. From trickster tales and mighty gods to heroic adventures and magical creatures, this book explores the fascinating stories that ancient cultures used to explain their world. Perfect for kids aged 9 to 12, each chapter brings a different culture's myths to life, sparking curiosity and wonder about our shared human heritage. Get ready to dive into a world of adventure, magic, and timeless lessons!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAnam Rasheed
    Release dateOct 9, 2024
    ISBN9798227947628
    The World’s Oldest Stories: Mythology from Around the Globe

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      Book preview

      The World’s Oldest Stories - Anam Rasheed

      Prologue

      Long, long ago, before the days of science and technology, people looked up at the sky, into the forests, across vast oceans, and wondered about the mysteries of the world. Why does the sun rise every morning? Why does thunder roar? What happens after we leave this world? To answer these big questions, our ancestors created stories—fantastic tales of brave heroes, tricky gods, magical creatures, and mysterious lands.

      These stories were more than just entertainment; they were ways to explain the unexplainable, teach important lessons, and bring people together around a campfire or under a starry sky. Some stories were filled with adventure, while others spoke of love, loss, or the beginning of everything we know. These myths, passed down from generation to generation, have shaped cultures and communities for thousands of years. They’ve traveled across mountains, crossed seas, and even been whispered among the winds of time.

      In this book, we are about to take a journey back to those ancient days. We’ll explore the tales that people from all corners of the earth told—the myths that still spark wonder and curiosity today. From the snowy peaks of Norse mythology to the warm sands of Egyptian legends, from the deep forests of the Amazon to the temples of Japan, every story in this book will bring you closer to understanding how people made sense of the wonders and challenges of the world around them.

      So, settle in, and let your imagination soar as we step into these timeless tales, full of tricksters, gods, monsters, and heroes. The stories you are about to read are among the world’s oldest and most cherished—woven from dreams, fears, hopes, and the magic of human creativity. Welcome to a journey around the globe through the myths that helped shape humanity itself.

      Chapter 1: The Trickster Tales of Anansi

      Anansi, the trickster spider, is one of the most famous characters in African mythology, especially from the Ashanti people of Ghana. He’s a tiny spider, but don’t let his size fool you—Anansi is clever, mischievous, and always trying to outsmart everyone around him. His tales have been passed down through generations, spreading to different parts of the world, especially through the Caribbean, where his stories became even more well-known. Though he’s not the strongest or the fastest, Anansi uses his brain to get what he wants, and sometimes, he teaches important lessons along the way.

      Anansi is often shown as a spider, but in some stories, he can take on human form or a mix of both. Imagine a creature with the body of a spider but the face and voice of a person! His name means spider in the Ashanti language, but his clever tricks and funny adventures are what make him memorable.

      One of the most famous stories about Anansi is how he became the owner of all stories. A long time ago, all the stories in the world belonged to Nyame, the Sky God. Nyame kept the stories in the sky, far away from anyone else. Anansi, who wanted to own the stories himself, decided to go to Nyame and ask for them. But, of course, Nyame wouldn’t just give the stories away. He told Anansi that he could only have the stories if he could capture three powerful and dangerous creatures: the python, the leopard, and the hornets. These animals were no easy catch, but Anansi, being the trickster he was, thought up a clever plan.

      First, Anansi set out to capture the python. Instead of using strength, Anansi tricked the python into tying itself up! He told the python that he had heard someone say the python was not as long as a nearby stick. The python, eager to prove Anansi wrong, agreed to lie down next to the stick to compare. As the python stretched out, Anansi quickly tied it up, just as he had planned.

      Next, Anansi needed to capture the leopard, a fierce and dangerous animal. But Anansi wasn’t scared. He dug a deep hole and covered it with leaves, then waited. The leopard, not seeing the trap, fell right into the hole. When the leopard cried for help, Anansi pretended to offer assistance. Instead, he tricked the leopard into tying itself up so that Anansi could pull it out of the hole, but really, Anansi was just capturing it.

      Finally, Anansi needed to deal with the hornets. He knew he couldn’t fight them because hornets are small but mighty. Instead, Anansi filled a gourd with water and sprinkled it around the hornets' nest. He told the hornets that it was raining and that they should hide in his gourd to stay dry. Believing Anansi, the hornets all flew into the gourd, and Anansi quickly sealed it shut.

      With all three challenges complete, Anansi returned to Nyame, the Sky God. Impressed by Anansi’s cleverness, Nyame kept his promise and gave Anansi the ownership of all stories. From that day on, Anansi became the King of Stories, and people around the world began telling his tales.

      Anansi’s stories aren’t just about him being sneaky or mischievous; they often carry important lessons. For example, in some stories, Anansi’s tricks backfire, and he ends up in trouble himself. These stories teach that while it’s good to be clever, being greedy or dishonest can sometimes lead to problems. Other stories show how Anansi, though small and weak compared to bigger animals, uses his intelligence to overcome obstacles. This teaches the lesson that brains can often be more powerful than brawn, and that thinking carefully about a situation can help you find a solution that others might not see.

      One story that shows this is the tale of Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom. In this story, Nyame, the Sky God, once again plays a part. He had a pot that held all the wisdom in the world, and Anansi wanted it for himself. Nyame agreed to give Anansi the pot, but he didn’t tell him how to use it. Anansi, thinking he should keep all the wisdom for himself, decided to hide the pot up in a tree. He tied the pot around his neck and started to climb. But because the pot was heavy and awkward, Anansi struggled to get up the tree. His son, who had been watching him, called out, Why don’t you tie the pot to your back instead? It will be easier that way. Anansi, embarrassed that he hadn’t thought of such a simple solution, realized that even though he had all the wisdom in the world, he didn’t know everything. In frustration, he dropped the pot, and it broke into pieces, spreading wisdom all over the world for everyone to share.

      This story shows that even the cleverest person can still learn from others, and that wisdom isn’t something that one person should keep to themselves. It’s something that should be shared with everyone, so that the world can become a better place.

      Anansi’s trickster nature also shows up in his interactions with other animals. In many stories, he’s always trying to get the best of his friends, like Turtle or Rabbit, by playing tricks on them. In one story, Anansi invites Turtle to a feast but plays a mean trick. When Turtle arrives, Anansi tells him he must wash his hands before eating. Turtle, being a slow creature, goes to the river to wash, but by the time he returns, Anansi has eaten all the food! Turtle, however, gets his revenge by inviting Anansi to a feast at the river, where Anansi struggles because he can’t swim. This back-and-forth between the characters shows how sometimes, tricking others can lead to getting tricked yourself.

      Anansi’s stories also traveled far and wide. When people from Africa were taken to the Caribbean and the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade, they brought their stories with them. Anansi’s tales blended with local folklore and became popular in places like Jamaica, where he’s often known as Brer Anansi. These stories helped people remember their culture and brought a sense of hope, especially in tough times. Anansi, with his quick thinking and cleverness, became a symbol of resilience and survival.

      Though he’s sometimes sneaky and a little selfish, Anansi’s stories have entertained people for centuries, and they continue to be told today. His clever tricks, funny adventures, and the lessons he teaches make him one of the most memorable characters in mythology. Whether he’s outsmarting a leopard, tricking a snake, or learning an important lesson about sharing wisdom, Anansi shows us that being clever is about using your mind, but it’s also about knowing when to be kind and when to let others win.

      Chapter 2: Amaterasu and the Japanese Sun

      Amaterasu is one of the most important figures in Japanese mythology. She is the goddess of the sun and the ruler of the heavens, known for her bright and radiant light. Her name, Amaterasu, means shining in heaven, and she is considered the source of all life because the sun's light is necessary for things to grow.

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