A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

While fishing, Anansi inserts a hand into a hole and is seized by an unseen speaker. Once the being identifies itself, Anansi challenges the name and is thrown a mile, surviving the landing. He marks that landing place with iron and wooden forks, then separately persuades Hog, Goat and Dog to touch the hole and repeat the challenge. Each lands on the trap and dies, allowing Anansi to collect the body for food.

Monkey has watched the killings and arranges to accompany Anansi. Refusing to touch the hole, he induces Anansi to demonstrate and pushes his hand in. As Fling-a-mile swings him, Anansi asks Monkey to remove the distant forks. Monkey runs only far enough to watch; Anansi falls onto his own trap and is carried away as food. The concealed being is consistent in its response, while Anansi supplies the murderous plan; the story does not describe its shape or name a zoological species.

Seizes hands inside a river holeSpeaks its own nameThrows challengers a mile
01

Origins & earliest records

Martha Warren Beckwith published these attributed narratives in Jamaica Anansi Stories (1924). Her preface identifies collecting visits in summer1919 and winter1921; the heading locates each teller without supplying an individual interview date. Publication is not claimed as the beginning of the oral tradition.

02

Records & interpretation

Complete story33 read from initial fishing encounter through Monkey carrying away Anansi. The mile is the narrative distance, not a measurement verified outside the tale.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Jamaica Anansi Stories

    Martha Warren Beckwith; music recorded by Helen H. Roberts · 1924

    Story33, Fling-a-mile, printed pp.42-44. Complete selected narratives and attribution headings read.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Primary textBeckwith1924: Story33, Fling-a-mile, printed pp.42-44.Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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