The Spider and the Fly

-Mary Botham Howitt

A. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions in a sentence or two.

1. ” The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,

And I’ve many curious things to show when you are there”

1. How can the fly reach the spider’s parlour?

The fly can reach the spider’s parlour by climbing up a winding stair.

a. What will the fly get to see in the parlour?

The fly will see many curious things in the parlour.

2. ” 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!”

a. Is the fly willing to enter the spider’s pantry?

No, the fly is not willing to enter the spider’s pantry.

b. Can you guess what was in the pantry?

Yes, there were the remains of dead flies and insects.

3. “Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “You’re witty and you’re wise,

How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!”

a. List the words used by the spider to describe the fly.

Sweet, witty, wise, handsome and brilliant are the words used by the spider to describe the fly.

b. Why does the spider say that the fly is witty?

The fly is cautious and wise. She says that she has heard what was there in the pantry. So the spider says that the fly is witty.

4. ” The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,

For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:”

a. Why is the poet using the word ‘den‘ to describe the spider’s web?

The den is the hiding place for wild animals. Anyone who enters the den will be killed by the wild animals. In the same way any insect that enters the spider’s web will be killed by the spider so the poet is using the word ‘den’ to describe the spider’ web.

b. Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?

When the fly took leave of the spider she said that she would call another day. So the spider was sure that the fly would come back again.

5. “With buzzy wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,

Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue —”

a. Who does ‘she’ refer to?

‘She’ refers to the fly.

b. What was ‘she’ thinking of?

She was thinking of her brilliant eyes and green and purple robes.

6. “And now dear little children, who may this story read,

To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:”

a. Who does ‘I’ refer to?

“I” refers to the poet.

b. What is the advice given to the readers?

We should not believe idle, silly words of flattery. We should never be carried away by flattering words which are insincere.

B. Complete the summary by filling in the spaces with suitable words.

(i) The poem begins with the spider’s pursuit of the fly. He chats to the fl y to come into its home. The spider describes his parlour as the prettiest one. The spider kindles the curiosity of the fly so that she may enter his home. Fortunately, the fly was witty and refused to get into his home. Now the spider pretends to be a host and asks her to come and rest in his home. He offers her food and a bed to rest. This time also the fly declines the spider’s offer very politely. The next weapon that the spider uses is flattery. The spider praises the wings and eyes of the fly and also praises her wisdom. He invites her to look at herself in the mirror which is in his parlour. The fl y is tempted by the words of the spider and she falls a victim to her prey.

C. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words.

1. Write a character sketch of the spider.

The spider is a great cheat and trickster. He is cunning and crafty. But he pretends to be kind and hospitable. He tries various means to entice the fly into his trap. He tells the fly about the curious things in the parlour and the store of foods in his pantry. When all the attempts fail to entice the fly he uses flattery as the last weapon. He over praises the beauty of the fly and his flattery draws the fly into the web. Thus the spider’s character is marked with cunningness, deceit, trickery and flattery.

2. What happens if we fall a prey to flattery? Give instances from the poem ‘The Spider and the Fly’.

Many people use flattery to achieve their goal. Cheats and frauds use false praise to get what they need. In this poem, the spider uses different tricks to entice the fly. He talks about the curious things in the parlour. Then he tells the fly about his bed and pantry. The fly is careful and cautious. So she turns down the offer. At last the spider uses flattery. He praises the beauty of the fly. The fly is happy to hear the words of praise. She walks into the trap foolishly and gets killed. Thus this poem teaches us that we should not believe anyone who praises us insincerely.

3. In your own words give a detailed description of:

a) The Spider’s Parlour

The spider’s parlour is small but it is prettiest of all. The fly wouldn’t have seen such a parlour anywhere. In order to reach the parlour one has to walk up a winding stair. There are many curious things in the parlour. There is a little bed. One can sleep on it peacefully. There is also a pantry with a good store of things. The fly could eat a slice of anything she likes. Thus the parlour is pretty and comfortable.

b) The Fly’s Appearance

It is a little fly. It is a sweet creature. According to the spider the fly is witty and wise. The wings of the fly are gauzy. They give the fly a handsome appearance. The fly has brilliant eyes. The spider admires the pearl and silver wing of the fly. The robes of the fly are green and purple. There is a beautiful crest on the head of the fly. The eyes of the fly are as bright as a diamond.