Then Ananzi said, "We will tie one another to the tree, and we shall see
which is the stronger."

Now they agreed that the Lion should tie Ananzi first, and he tied him
with some very fine string, and did not tie him tight. Ananzi twisted
himself about two or three times, and the string broke.

Then it was Ananzi's turn to tie the Lion, and he took some very strong
cord. The Lion said, "You must not tie me tight, for I did not tie you
tight." And Ananzi said, "Oh! no, to be sure, I will not." But he tied
him as tight as ever he could, and then told him to try and get loose.

The Lion tried and tried in vain--he could not get loose. Then Ananzi
thought, now is my chance; so he got a big stick and beat him, and then
went away and left him, for he was afraid to loose him lest he should
kill him.

Now there was a woman called Miss Nancy, who was going out one morning
to get some "callalou" (spinach) in the wood, and as she was going she
heard some one say, "Good morning, Miss Nancy!" She could not tell who
spoke to her, but she looked where the voice came from, and saw the Lion
tied to the tree.

"Good morning, Mr. Lion, what are you doing there?"

He said, "It is all that fellow Ananzi who has tied me to the tree, but
will you loose me?"

But she said, "No, for I am afraid, if I do, you will kill me." But he
gave her his word he would not; still she could not trust him; but he