The Wisdom of The Spider and the Fly

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

A friend shared how his mother taught him as a child the way of good and evil, righteousness and sin through the poem The Spider and the Fly. I searched the public domain for this nearly 200-year-old writing. It’s fun, humorous, and touches us with its truth about humanity.

The Wisdom of The Spider and the Fly

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The Spider and the Fly (1829)

“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 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 m 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.

Mary Howitt
1799 – 1888

Have you found humor and wisdom in this poem?

 

Comments 38

  2. Oooh, I haven’t seen that poem in years! Still so true, even after nearly 200 years! Thanks for sharing it…good reminders! A similar story (probably inspired by the poem!) was written by Beatrix Potter, “The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck” who nearly becomes a roast duck dinner for a fox. 🙂 Lots of wisdom in those children’s stories and poetry!

    Reply

    2. I’ve never heard of “The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck!” I will have to look for it. Loved Beatrix Potter.

      Reply

  5. Thanks for sharing this, DiAnn! I had never heard of this before. I love how deep its message is with such a simple illustration. Our downfall comes when we give the enemy time. It’s not enough to refuse the first temptation. If we don’t also remove the source of that temptation from our life, sooner or later, it will find our weakness and exploit it.

    Reply

  6. Like the others, I had never heard the poem in its entirety. I also never realized how it fits our enemy the devil. How he traps us if we are willing vessels.

    Reply

  8. I remember my mother and grandmother quoting it as “Come into my parlor,” said the spider to the fly. I’ve quoted that one line myself many a time and most people just stare, wondering what I am referring to. Thanks for sharing the entire poem.

    We can be trapped by all sorts of snares, promises, and things too good to be true. Thanks, DiAnn, for the reminder.

    Reply

      1. A firm no, and meaning it, can save us from going off a cliff. Better still, stay out of the enemy’s camp and refuse to engage in any conversation. Avoid slippery places.

        Reply

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