Would this poem be appropriate to read to a child?
The Spider and the Fly
An Apologue.
A New Version Of An Old Story.
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’ve a many curious things to shew 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.”
“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!”
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!”
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve 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.”
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!”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue —
Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour — but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
by Mary Howitt 1821.
From Sketches of Natural History (1834), Effingham Wilson : London.
How can anyone believe a teacher's question is aimed at manipulating someone? This is a question requesting information and probably should have been posted in the Elementary Education section of Y!A.
This is not my poem. I can't give you permission to print it, but since it is on the Web, I imagine it's all right to print it out as long as you give proper attribution.
Posted in counsellor london
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May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
This was and still is one of the greatest Children poems ever written, please by all means read it to your children.
I am a 4th grade teacher and my kid love this poem.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Absolutely! It’s a child poem. It teaches them a valuable lesson, and that is something you would need to point out. Ask them what they think the lesson is, the moral, and make sure they understand that. Kids are sponges and it’s things like this poem that help instill the common sense that many people today are lacking.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Answering your question in strict accordance with community guidelines, not only would it be appropriate to read to a child, but also highly entertaining for them. However, I think the elderly gentleman it is aimed at will recognize it for the attempted manipulation that it is.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
This is a Brilliant . I would gladly read this to any child. Any child
would benefit from this.
Edit: To Dondi, I love when A Gentleman as yourself can give such a respectful and honest answer from his Heart to a poem. You are Loved.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
I have always liked this story of the spider and the fly. It shows how to get around caution using flattery and guile. My ex-wife was an expert at it, and I got to be really good at avoiding her pitfalls and traps. By all means, read it to children and adults alike.
edit:
I know an old lady who swallowed a fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly,
perhaps she'll die.
I know an old lady who swallowed a spider,
It wriggled and wiggled and jiggled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
perhaps she'll die.
Part of a song, don't remember who wrote it, many sang it.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
I intend to print this out with your permission and put it in Emmy’s book of poems…she’s not to young to learn such lessons in an entertaining and delightful verse! Thanks for sharing!
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Thanks for posting Elaine, I have not read this for many years gone by,
I first heard it as a child……………And the one Dondi posted, If my recall is correct, I believe Burl Ives recorded that song long ago.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
I think that every child should not only have this read to him/her, but also should be encouraged to memorize in part.
It is a very apt analogy I have seen at work recently on the part or the virtual spiders.. my oh my.. what a feast they are having.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Its a Joyful read for children as well as adults. A lesson that has to be comprehended and lifelong remembered.
It reminds of the Scorpion who asked a frog to take him to the other side of the river. “I’m afraid you gonna sting me” said the frog. ” If I sting you you gonna die, and I’m gonna drown, for I can’t swim” said the scorpion. “yeah, I guess you are right! common, jump on my back” said the frog. All of the sudden, the scorpion stung the frog. “Why did you do that for? Its illogical ! Will drown, both of us” the hurt frog said.” Its your fault, frog, didn’t you know that I was a scorpion, and still IS,” the scorpion replied. And in a moment, both headed to the bottom of the river.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Great Poem ,,,,Yes I remember this as a child and remember reading this to our son To put it simply this is beautiful ,,,The lesson that is being taught here ,,,
Priceless ,,,Thank you for posting this piece of yesteryear that is still so true today,,,Caution at all times
May 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
This poem serves to highlight for me how much really great stuff I have yet to read. Gadzooks….I can dive into stuff like this and not be heard from for weeks. Appropriate to read a child? Yes! It sets the imagination “fly”-ing. And teaches such an important lesson as well. One that even adults would do well to heed. Thank you for posting.