THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

by

Mary Howitt

Name

City or Town, BC

V0E 1H2

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

by

Mary Howitt

CAST

NARRATOR A: male or female
NARRATOR B: male or female
NARRATOR C: male or female
SPIDER: a hungry fellow or lady
FLY: likes his/her life

PLACE

A Garden in the Shuswap.

TIME

Present day

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

ACT I, Scene 1

At Rise: Spider and Fly are standing stage center. Narrator A, Narrator B, and Narrator C stand slightly off to one side, watching Spider and Fly.

SPIDER: "Will you walk into my parlour?"

NARRATOR A: said a spider to a fly;

SPIDER: 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy. The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, and I have many pretty things to shew when you are there."

FLY: "Oh no, no!"

NARRATOR B: said the little fly,

FLY: "to ask me is in vain, for who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

SPIDER: "I'm sure you must be weary, with soaring up so high, Will you rest upon my little bed?"

NARRATOR A: said the spider to the fly.

SPIDER: "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."

FLY: "Oh no, no!"

NARRATOR B: said the little fly,

FLY: "for I've often heard it said, they never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

NARRATOR A: Said the cunning spider to the fly,

SPIDER: "Dear friend, what shall 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?"

FLY: "Oh no, no!"

NARRATOR B: said the little fly,

FLY: "kind sir, that cannot be, I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see."

SPIDER: "Sweet creature!"

NARRATOR A: said the spider,

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 parlour shelf, if you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

FLY: "I thank you, gentle sir,"

NARRATOR B: she said,

FLY: "for what you're pleased to say, and bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

NARRATOR C: 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.

NARRATOR A: Then he went out to his door again, and merrily did sing,

SPIDER: "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."

NARRATOR C: 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! —

NARRATOR A: 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! —

NARRATOR B: 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.

THE END