ARUBA — In a story that has become part of local folklore, the cunning spider Nanzi once again proved that brains beat brawn — even when up against the fiercest beast of the mondi, Cha Tiger.
Once a terrifying figure among civil society, Cha Tiger struck fear into every heart. His mere presence cleared pathways. That’s how feared he was.
But one evening, during a casual chat, Nanzi bragged to friends that he wasn’t scared of the mighty feline at all. “Cha Tiger? I’d ride him like a donkey to Shon Arei!” he claimed. Laughter erupted, but word spread fast.
By morning, even Shon Arei had heard the tale. Cha Tiger, enraged and embarrassed, stormed toward Nanzi’s home with fury in every step.
When the ferocious tiger arrived, he found Nanzi lying seemingly ill, pale and weak. “Me? Mock you? Never!” Nanzi wheezed. “Shi Maria was going to take me to Shon Arei for healing. I can barely walk!”
Moved by pity, Cha Tiger agreed to carry the “sick” spider to Shon Arei. Nanzi climbed on, even asking for a rope to hold and a branch to swat away mosquitoes.
But once they reached the edge of the mondi and the crowd came into view, Nanzi sprang to life, smacking the tiger and shouting, “See? Cha Tiger ain’t nothing but a big donkey!”
Spectators roared with laughter as Cha Tiger, humiliated, fled into the mondi — where legend says he still hides to this day.
And as for Nanzi? He remains the island’s most mischievous hero, proving yet again that cleverness can ride high on the back of brute force.
Hurray, Nanzi!
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