The Spider and the Fly – Mary Howitt

Summary

“The Spider and the Fly” is a story about a clever Spider and a little Fly. The Spider tries to trick the Fly into coming into his web by saying nice things and offering her a comfortable place to rest. The Fly is smart at first and says no because she knows it might be dangerous. But the Spider keeps saying sweet things, telling her how pretty she is, and eventually, the Fly forgets the danger and goes into the Spider’s web. Once she’s inside, the Spider catches her, and she never escapes. The story teaches us to be careful and not trust people just because they say nice things, as they might have bad intentions.

Easy Read

“Will you come into my room?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“It’s the nicest little room that you’ll ever find.
The way to my room is up some stairs,
And I have many cool things to show you there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “I can’t do that,
Because I’ve heard that whoever goes up your stairs never comes back.”

“I’m sure you’re tired from flying so high;
Would you like to rest on my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“I have soft sheets and comfy blankets,
And if you want to rest, I’ll tuck you in nicely!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “I’ve heard that those who sleep on your bed never wake up again.”

The clever Spider said, “Dear friend, what can I do,
To show you how much I like you?
I have lots of tasty food in my pantry,
You’re welcome to take a bite.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “I don’t want to see what’s in your pantry!”

“Sweet Fly,” said the Spider, “you’re so smart and pretty,
Your wings are so shiny, and your eyes are so bright!
I have a little mirror on my shelf,
If you step inside, you can see yourself.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” said the Fly, “but I have to go now. Maybe another day.”

The Spider knew the Fly would come back,
So he started weaving a tricky web in a hidden corner,
And got his table ready to eat the Fly.
Then he came out and happily sang,
“Come here, pretty Fly, with your shiny wings;
Your clothes are green and purple, and you have a little crown on your head;
Your eyes are like diamonds, but mine are dull.”

Sadly, the silly Fly listened to the Spider’s sweet words,
She buzzed around and came closer,
Thinking about how pretty she was,
Until the clever Spider jumped and caught her.

He dragged her up the stairs to his dark room,
And she never came out again.
And now, dear children, learn from this story:
Don’t listen to sweet words from someone who might trick you.
Be careful, and don’t trust everyone who says nice things.

Stanzas and Questions

Stanza 1:

“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
“‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show you when you are there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

1. What does the Spider ask the Fly to do?
   The Spider asks the Fly to walk into his parlour.
2. How does the Spider describe his parlour?
   The Spider describes it as the prettiest little parlour.
3. What must the Fly do to enter the parlour?
   The Fly must go up a winding stair to enter the parlour.
4. What does the Spider say he has to show the Fly?
   The Spider says he has many curious things to show the Fly.
5. Why does the Fly refuse to enter the parlour?
   The Fly refuses because she knows whoever goes up the winding stair can never come down again.

Stanza 2:

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”

1. What does the Spider think about the Fly’s condition?
   The Spider thinks the Fly must be weary from soaring up so high.
2. What does the Spider offer the Fly?
   The Spider offers the Fly to rest upon his little bed.
3. How does the Spider describe the bed?
   The Spider describes the bed as having pretty curtains and fine, thin sheets.
4. What does the Spider offer to do if the Fly rests on the bed?
   The Spider offers to snugly tuck the Fly in.
5. Why does the Fly refuse to sleep on the Spider’s bed?
   The Fly refuses because she has heard that those who sleep on the Spider’s bed never wake up again.

Stanza 3:

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend, what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome—will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind sir, that cannot be;
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”

1. What does the Spider call the Fly in this stanza?
   The Spider calls the Fly “dear friend.”
2. What does the Spider want to prove to the Fly?
   The Spider wants to prove the warm affection he has always felt for the Fly.
3. What does the Spider offer from his pantry?
   The Spider offers a good store of all that’s nice from his pantry.
4. What does the Spider invite the Fly to do?
   The Spider invites the Fly to take a slice of the food.
5. Why does the Fly refuse to see what’s in the Spider’s pantry?
   The Fly refuses because she has heard what’s in the Spider’s pantry and doesn’t wish to see it.

Stanza 4:

“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”

1. How does the Spider compliment the Fly in this stanza?
   The Spider calls the Fly witty and wise.
2. What does the Spider praise about the Fly’s appearance?
   The Spider praises the Fly’s handsome gauzy wings and brilliant eyes.
3. What does the Spider offer to show the Fly in his parlour?
   The Spider offers to show the Fly a little looking-glass.
4. Where is the looking-glass located?
   The looking-glass is on the Spider’s parlour shelf.
5. How does the Fly respond to the Spider’s compliments and offer?
   The Fly thanks the Spider for his kind words and says she will call another day.

Stanza 5:

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple—there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”

1. Where does the Spider go after the Fly leaves?
   The Spider goes into his den.
2. Why does the Spider think the Fly will come back?
   The Spider thinks the Fly will come back because he believes she is silly.
3. What does the Spider do while waiting for the Fly?
   The Spider weaves a subtle web in a little corner and sets his table ready.
4. What does the Spider sing when he comes back to the door?
   The Spider sings to the Fly, praising her pearl and silver wings.
5. How does the Spider describe the Fly’s appearance in his song?
   The Spider describes the Fly’s robes as green and purple, with a crest on her head and eyes like diamonds.

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