The Spider and the Fly

Source
Philippine Folk Tales
compiled and annotated by
Mabel Cook Cole
A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1916

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► Themes of the story

Good vs. Evil: The narrative portrays the conflict between Mr. Spider’s persistent advances and Miss Fly’s defensive actions, highlighting the struggle between opposing forces.

Cunning and Deception: Miss Fly’s clever tactic of using boiling water to fend off Mr. Spider demonstrates the use of wit to achieve her goal.

Conflict with Nature: The story reflects the natural animosity between spiders and flies, symbolizing inherent conflicts in the animal kingdom.

► From the same Region or People

• Southeast Asia
  • Philippines
    • Visayan Lore

Learn more about Philippines peoples

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Mr. Spider wanted to marry Miss Fly. Many times he told her of his love and begged her to become his wife, but she always refused for she did not like him. One day when she saw Mr. Spider coming again Miss Fly closed all the doors and windows of her house and made ready a pot of boiling water. Then she waited, and when Mr. Spider called, begging her to allow him to enter, she answered by throwing boiling water at him. This made Mr. Spider very angry and he cried: “I will never forgive you for this, but I and my descendants will always despise you. We will never give you any peace.” Mr. Spider kept his word, and even today one can see the hatred of the spider for the fly.