Lesson 1.2 The Spider and the Fly
Lesson 1.2> The Spider and the Fly
Glossary
- parlour (n) – a tidy room in a house used for entertaining guests
- winding (v) – a twisting movement or course
- weary (v) – very tired, especially from hard work
- pantry (n) – a room where beverages, food, dishes are stored
- subtle (adj.) – delicate or faint and mysterious
- flattering (v) – to praise or compliment insincerely
- counsellor (n) – a person who advises
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”
a) How to reach the spider’s parlour.
The spider’s parlour can be reached by going inside the spiral shaped web.
b) What will the fly get to see in the parlour?
The fly will see 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?
The fly would be caught in the pantry and would become a prey.
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 out words used by the spider to describe the fly.
The words used by the spider to describe the fly are “sweet creature'” “witty”, “wise”, “handsome” and “brilliant”.
b) Why does the spider say that the fly is witty?
The spider says that the fly is witty because it will be moved easily by the praising words.
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 poet is using the word den to describe the spider’s web because the spider’s web is as dangerous as the den.
b) Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?
The spider was sure that the fly would come back again because it was moved by the flattering words of the spider.
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.
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?
The advice given to the readers is not to give ears to the praising words.
B. Complete the summary by filling in the spaces with suitable words.
The poem begins with the spider’s praise of the fly. He requests to the fly to come into its home. The spider describes his parlor as the prettiest one. The spider kindles the curiosity of the fly so that she may enter his home. Fortunately, the fly was alert and refused to get into his home. Now the spider pretends to be a harmless and asks her to come and rest in his home. He offers her bed and a sheet to rest. This time also the fly rejects 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 robes. He invites her to look at herself in the mirror which is in his par lour. The fly is moved by the words of the spider and she falls a prey to her words.
C. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words.
1. Write the character sketch of the spider.
Spider is a character in the poem “The spider and the Fly”, written by Marry Howitt. It has the skill of flattery. The spider flatters the fly to trap her into his parlor. He tries a different tactic. He offers the fly a pretty and comfortable place to sleep. But the fly refuses. He tries to flatter the fly by praising her appearance.
“Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!” (10th stanza)
And he invites her in to look into a mirror. He compares to the spider’s less appealing appearance. In stanza five, the spider knows it has won. He begins preparations to feast on the fly.
“Hearing his wily, flattery words, came slowly flitting by;” (11th stanza)
The fly comes by to hear more flattery about its beauty, and the spider strikes, taking the fly into its parlor. Thus the spider makes the fly as its prey.
2. What happens if we fall a prey to flattery? Give instances from the poem ‘The Spider and the Fly’.
If we fall a prey to flattery we will be destroyed. Take a lesson from “The Spider and the Fly”. Be distrustful of useless. Sweet talk is insincere. Not all praise or advice is genuine. Therefore we must be careful of listening to others. For that matter, the poet like us not coming into contact at all with sweet tongued people.
3. In your own words give a detailed description of.
A. the spider’s parlor:
The Spider’s parlor has a comfortable little bed, with light sheets to rest on. It is a quiet place, with pretty curtains drawn around to make it cool and dark. The perfect atmosphere to ‘snugly tuck’ in. This means to ensure a comfortable snooze.
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, (3rd stanza)
B. The Fly’s Appearance:
The spider begins to praise her loveliness. The fly has beautiful wings. He talks about those gauzy wings and brilliant eyes. The ‘robes of green and purple’ refers to the color of the fly’s body, the ‘crest’ or crown likely the fly’s antenna. ‘Gauzy wings’ have now become ‘pearl and silver wing’, ‘brilliant eyes’ are now ‘eyes like diamond bright’.
“…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!” (10th stanza)
Listening
Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks with appropriate answers.
1. Without trust there is no ______________.
Ans : relationship
2. ______________ is a very rare thing to find in life.
Ans : Trust
3. When people betray you learn from the _____________.
Ans : situation
4. Don’t let _________ on the road threw you back.
Ans : small bumps
5. If we keep moving forward you will have a wonderfully __________________.
Ans : fulfilling life
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