The Spider and the Fly
A (children’s) poem worth reading
This is an e-mail forward that I received today. Normally, I fight the tempatation to put e-mail forwards on my blog, since it normally makes it to virtually everyone on the Internet, regardless of how good or bad the content of the e-mail is. This, however, is an exception, since its a very well written poem, with a lesson to learn. If you have kids, this will come handy one day, when they go: mommy, mommy (or daddy, daddy) can you tell me a story? Enjoy!
The Spider And The Fly
by Mary Howitt
“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’re 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 all around,
The sheets are fine and thin,
And if you want 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,
“Your’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.”
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.
It’s not like you never do it! I came accross this article in the news (on news.google.com). Scientists have discovered some interesting phenomena in their quest for explaining why we get depressed. One of the most intriguing of these findings have been that the human brain keeps developing well into adulthood [insert smart ass comment here] which may explain why we start understanding some of the more complicated things as we grow older (but I thought that was just experience). Anyways, I won’t try and explain what the article says, you can read it yourself: I think apart from a few necessary medical terms, the article is in pretty straight-forward english. I’ll get Sadia to write something about it. (If she gets the time – she’s extremely busy with Aliyah these days – I am jealous of the incredible bond that the mother and the child form, there is no way a father’s could be that strong, ever). Okay, without going on any more tangents, here’s the link to the article: Depression may be tied to cell birth. Let me know what ya’all think…
