Anansi plays a "binding game" with Leopard in A STORY A STORY. This is a different binding game. Twist and flip a loop of string around your fingers into a tangled knot, then amaze your audience as the knot magically dissolves when you tug on the loop.

You will need a loop of heavy string. When you have mastered the trick, you will use a loop of a single color as you would for telling a string story, but while you are learning and practicing, use a loop made of two strings of different colors tied at the ends. In the illustrations and instructions I will refer to a loop that is half red, half blue. I have drawn only the left hand side of the loop in each illustration, but you can picture the loop continuing on to the right where you would be holding the other end with your right hand.

To start, hold your left hand with your palm facing away from you. Hook the loop over your little finger with the knot on the outside of your little finger, the blue string passing on the palm side of your little finger and between your little finger and your ring finger.

Twist the loop so the red string flips over your ring finger. Flip the loop back again and over your middle finger, and once again over your index finger. Notice that the red string in on top after each flip. Give the loop half a twist so the red string is on top as both strings pass on the palm side of your thumb.
NOW HERE'S THE REALLY TRICKY PART...

Give the loop a half twist, the red string toward the thumb, the blue away from the thumb as you wrap the loop around your thumb. The blue string will now be on top.

Turn your left hand so your palm is facing in toward you. Insert your index finger between the red and blue stings with the red (lower) string on the palm side of the finger and the blue (top) side on the side of the finger away from you.

Twist the loop toward you and flip it over your middle finger so the blue string is on top and on the palm side, the red string on the bottom and away from you. Flip the loop the other way and over the ring finger -- blue on top and away, red on the bottom and on the palm side. Flip the loop one more time over your little finger. Notice that, this time, the blue string is on the top after each flip.
AND NOW FOR THE GRAND FINALE!

Drop your thumb out of the double loop, and with a firm, steady motion, pull the loop away from your left hand (in the direction of the arrow...). If you have done your loops and flips correctly, the loop will snake out between your fingers and...

Practice until you can get all the flips and loops -- and that important cross-over around the thumb -- by feel alone. Then try the trick again with a loop of a single color.

RICHARD THOMPSONTHE STORY VINE

Find more games and puzzles at Spike's Gym.

click the critter