Let your child hear the story of how flattering words can sometimes be used to lure one into danger!
Read to him the poem “The Spider and The Fly”  written by Mary Howitt in the early 19 th century, but remains relevant nowadays, even more so. Our children and teens are exposed to evil at an earlier age and with a more targeted attacks with varied maneuvers. It will be helpful for a child to hear this story so it sticks to his mind how empty flatter can lead to irrational and fatal choices. Our children need to resist evil, hidden at times behind rosy promises. For instance, a teen might resist street drugs, offered even at schools in many instances, when initially asked to try, to succumb later when evil comes up with another maneuver for persuasion using embellished words to make the teen go along with their demand.
This piece is also fun to read for children, and the imageries and the vocabulary gained when reading it will increase the child’s English linguistic skills.
After reading the story, make sure to discuss with the child the moral of the fable in addition to different scenes of the story and the meaning of the adjectives used. It will also be fun if you ask your child to illustrate one scene or to list what can be found in a pantry, parlor, bedroom, and what are different rooms of a house.

“The Spider and The Fly”

A Moral Fable by poet Mary Howitt, 1829.

“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 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 never 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.