A Spider and a Fly

One day a spider said to a fly Though you pass this way daily

My hut has never been honoured by you By making a chance visit inside by you

Though depriving strangers of a visit does not matter Evading the near and dear ones does not look good

My house will be honoured by a visit by you A ladder is before you if you decide to step in

Hearing this the fly said to the spider, “Sire, you should entice some simpleton thus

This fly would never be pulled into your net Whoever climbed your net could never step down

The spider said, “How strange, you consider me a cheat I have never seen a simpleton like you in the world

I only wanted to entertain you I had no personal gain in view

You have come flying from some unknown distant place Resting for a while in my house would not harm you

Many things in this house are worth your seeing Though apparently a humble hut you are seeing

Dainty drapes are hanging from the doors And I have decorated the walls with mirrors

Beddings are available for guests’ comforts Not to everyone’s lot do fall these comforts.

The fly said, “All this may very well be But do not expect me to enter your house

“May God protect me from these soft beds Once asleep in them getting up again is impossible

The spider spoke to itself on hearing this talk “How to trap it? This wretched fellow is clever

Many desires are fulfilled with flattery in the world All in the world are enslaved with flattery

Thinking this the spider spoke to the fly thus! “Madam, God has bestowed great honours on you!

Everyone loves your beautiful face Even if someone sees you for the first time

Your eyes look like clusters of glittering diamonds God has adorned your beautiful head with a plume

This beauty, this dress, this elegance, this neatness! And all this is very much enhanced by singing in flight

The fly was touched by this flattery And spoke, “I do not fear you any more

I hate the habit of declining requests Disappointing somebody is bad indeed

Saying this it flew from its place When it got close the spider snapped it

The spider had been starving for many days The fly provided a good leisurely meal