We are never too young nor too old to learn.

What is an "Apologue"
Write an apologue in quatrains or sextets or ottava rima or in mixed stanzas and rhymes. and rhymes:

The ottava rima is a stanza of eight lines rhyming abababcc.


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[/b]\


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The Spider and the Fly by: Mary Howitt

review by: Jill Brown '04

The Spider and the Fly is based on a poem by Mary Howitt that illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi brilliantly brings to life with black and white images reminiscent of early movies. The book cover is enough to draw the reader into the captivating world of the spider’s trance, but the cover itself warns there is a lesson to be learned.
The poem revolves around the spider’s multiple attempts to persuade the pretty little fly to stay with him awhile: “’Sweet Creature!’ said the Spider, ‘you’re witty and you’re wise, How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!’” The witty verse bounces back and forth between the two creatures amid the large descriptive pictures. The verse and pictures are a perfect complement, for the pictures add a sense of unsettling darkness and uncertainty over the piece that would be lost if the pictures were in color. Instead, the Spider is an ominous, dark creature that blends into his surroundings, showing how a kind fly with bright wondering eyes does not fit into the Spider’s world.

When you think you have finished the story of The Spider and the Fly, you have only reached the best part. A special letter at the end of the story/poem brings the book to a whole new level. Instead of a reading a poem by Mary Howitt, the Spider takes over and writes a letter to the “Sweet Creatures” who have finished reading the book and explains his feelings about the poem. It is a hilarious ending to the poem that you will only understand if you take the time to read the poem and enjoy the illustrations first.

Although The Spider and the Fly is a children’s book, Mary Howitt herself was associated with many distinguished literary figures such as Dickens and Keats. Therefore, do not judge a book by its intended audience and do not dismiss a book just because it is in the children’s section or the poetry section of the library or bookstore. If you give a book a chance you might find an intriguing character such as the Spider who cares enough to address his audience.

Last edited by cousinsoren 11-01-2010 at 09:19:17 AM