The Spider and the Fly

In a quiet corner of a sunny room, a spider spun a shiny, silky web. The strands sparkled like jewels in the light, and the spider admired his hard work. One afternoon, a curious fly buzzed by, noticing the web’s beauty.

The spider, with a sly smile, called out, “Oh, hello there, little fly! Look at my beautiful home. Wouldn’t you like to come closer and see?”

The fly hesitated. “It does look lovely,” she said, “but I’ve heard about webs like yours. I think I’ll stay here.”

The spider chuckled softly. “Oh, but you’re so clever and graceful! Surely, a smart fly like you wouldn’t believe such silly stories about me.” Flattered by the spider’s sweet words, the fly decided to take a closer look.

The moment the fly touched the sticky web, the spider pounced! Struggling to break free, the fly realized too late that the spider’s kind words were just a trick.

The spider whispered, “Not everything shiny is safe, my dear.”

The fly learned a hard lesson that day: words can be sweet, but they can also hide danger.

Moral:

Be wary of those who flatter you.

Additional Lessons:

Caution: The fly learns to be cautious about trusting flattery, as it leads to danger.
Wisdom: The fly gains wisdom from her experience, realizing that not everything that seems beautiful or flattering is safe or trustworthy.

Parenting Tip: Teach your child about the importance of cautious decision-making. Discuss how flattery, like in the story, can sometimes be used to trick us. Encourage them to trust their instincts and think carefully before acting on others’ words.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids:

Why do you think the fly was attracted to the spider’s web?
If you were the fly, what would you do when the spider invited you over?
Why do you think the spider used flattery to trick the fly instead of chasing it?
What other tricks might animals or people use to get what they want?
How can you tell if someone is being honest or just trying to flatter you?
Have you ever made a decision based on someone’s compliments? How did it turn out?
Why is it important to think before you trust someone’s words?
How can you protect yourself from being tricked like the fly?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Spiders and Flies:

Spiders can’t chew their food. They use digestive juices to turn it into liquid before eating!
Spider silk is super strong. It’s tougher than steel of the same thickness.
Some spiders make orb-shaped webs. These perfect circles are designed to catch flying insects like flies and moths.
Flies have taste buds on their feet! When they land on food, they can taste it right away.
A fly’s eyes are made up of thousands of tiny lenses. This helps them see movement in all directions at once.
Spiders are master builders. Some can spin a web in just an hour.
Flies are great at dodging danger. They can flap their wings up to 200 times per second!
Not all spiders use webs to catch prey. Some, like jumping spiders, actively hunt their food.
Flies can walk upside down. Their sticky feet help them grip smooth surfaces like ceilings.
A spider’s web is recyclable! They can eat the old silk to make new webs.

Activity: Build a Web of Choices

What You’ll Need:

Yarn or string
Small pieces of paper
A flat surface or a wall

How to Play:

Use yarn to create a “web” on a flat surface or between two points, like chairs or walls.
Write various choices on pieces of paper—some “safe” (e.g., staying cautious) and some “tricky” (e.g., giving in to flattery).
Attach the papers to different parts of the web.
Have your child pick a path through the web, explaining why they would or wouldn’t choose certain actions.

Talk about how each choice can lead to different outcomes. Encourage your child to think critically about why some decisions, like the fly’s, might seem tempting but aren’t always the best.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!