High School

"The Spider and the Fly" by Mary Howitt

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,
"’Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show 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 a while, 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 have a little looking-glass upon my parlor 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 be 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 parlor—but she ne’er came out again!

From the Fly’s experience, the reader can learn that —

A) one should not give in to dishonest praise
B) friends have sweet things to say about us
C) one can trust the kind words of others
D) everyone loves for others to flatter them

Answer :

Final Answer:

From the Fly's experience in "The Spider and the Fly," the reader can learn that one should not give in to dishonest praise thus option A is correct.

Explanation:

In the poem "The Spider and the Fly" by Mary Howitt, the cunning Spider uses flattery and deception to lure the innocent Fly into his web. The Fly, initially resistant to the Spider's advances, succumbs to the flattering words and false promises. The reader can derive a valuable lesson from this narrative: the importance of being cautious and discerning when faced with praise and kind words.

The Fly's tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need to be wary of deceptive intentions masked behind sweet words. This poem carries a moral undertone, teaching the reader the significance of critical thinking and not easily trusting praise that may conceal ulterior motives.

In a broader context, the poem is a metaphor for real-life situations where individuals may encounter flattery or insincere compliments. It encourages readers to be vigilant, not easily swayed by superficial charm, and to consider the potential ulterior motives behind seemingly generous gestures thus option A is correct. By learning from the Fly's experience, the reader gains insight into the importance of skepticism and discernment in navigating situations where praise may mask hidden dangers.

Learn more about dishonest praise
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