A tale as rich as chocolate, as clever as Ananse...
The cool breeze of the short rains swept through the village, rustling the golden cocoa pods hanging heavy on the trees. Smoke curled into the sky from earthen stoves as the scent of spiced wild hibiscus tea and steaming cups of Adwoa West African Spice-infused hot chocolate filled the air. It was the day of the Great Cocoa Festival, a time when the people of Midunu honored the land and the bounty it provided.
Ananse, ever watchful, perched atop a thatched rooftop, his eight legs twitching in anticipation. This was no ordinary festival—it was a festival of chocolate. There were Amarula Cream Liqueur truffles dusted with cocoa powder, Desert Salt Caramel bonbons melting on eager tongues, and steaming cups of Cocoa Nib Chai warming cold hands. It was paradise.
But Ananse was not there to celebrate. No, he had a plan. If he could make himself the festival’s honored guest, he could eat his fill without ever lifting a leg to work for it.
And so, under the cover of the early evening shadows, Ananse spun a tale as intricate as his web. He disguised himself as a wise old storyteller from a distant land, draped himself in the finest woven cloth, and hobbled into the festival square.
“Mepaakyɛw, good people,” he croaked, bowing low before the village elders. “I have traveled far and wide, and I bring you a story—a story of cocoa, of wisdom, and of the greatest trick never told.”
The people, curious, welcomed him to the head of the feast, offering him the finest chocolates—Rum Coconut truffles, West African 5 Spice ganache, and Dukkah pralines. Ananse grinned behind his disguise. This was too easy.
But just as he was about to take his first sip of the steaming Classic Milk Drinking Chocolate, the head chocolatier of Midunu raised a hand.
“Before we indulge, honored guest,” she said, “tell us this great trick of yours.”
Ananse hesitated. He had no story prepared. He had been so eager to trick his way into the feast, he had forgotten to weave the very tale that would earn him his place.
The crowd leaned in, waiting.
Sweat beaded on his brow. His legs twitched. He opened his mouth—but no words came. And in that silence, the truth unraveled.
The head chocolatier smiled knowingly. “Ah, Ananse,” she said. “The greatest trick is one that even you cannot tell.”
Laughter rippled through the square as Ananse slumped, defeated. The villagers, always kind, offered him a single truffle—one, not stolen, but given. And for the first time, Ananse took what was freely shared.
Would he learn? Or would he try again? Well… that is a story for another time.
✨ Join the Circle
A new chapter of Ananse & the Chocolate Chronicles unfolds the first Sunday of every month.
👉 Don’t miss the next tale—Join the Midunu Circle newsletter to have it delivered straight to your inbox.
🍫 Taste the Story
Want to savor the flavors that bewitched Ananse? Discover them in our Midunu chocolate collection.