The Spider and the Fly Magic Hands

Hello! Come on, everybody, take a seat.

Wow!

Woo!

BOTH: Hello!

-BOTH:

-Hello!

Wiggle your fingers and cross your feet.

Are you ready?

One, two, three, watch me.

Four, five, six, I've got some tricks.

Seven, eight, nine, it's almost time.

Ten!

ALL: Magic hands!

# Just look at my magic

# My magic hands

# Make your fingers super-duper. #

Magic Hands!

-Hello!

-Hello!

My name is...

And my name is...

Look at what my hands can do!

Eurgh! A spider!

Oh, don't be scared - it's only a cute little spider.

Spiders are good.

They catch all the bad insects in their web that would,

otherwise, ruin your mummy's roses

and eat up all the crops that make your breakfast cereal.

That's true.

And they're also very small and not big and strong, like me,

so they're probably more frightened of me than... Oh!

I don't like them!

-Don't be scared. Ah!

-Aargh!

Get on with it.

Today we're doing a poem by a woman called Mary Botham Howitt

and it's called The Spider And The Fly.

Are you ready?

No.

Oof!

Eurgh! It's a bit sticky.

Watch your feet. You don't want to get stuck.

"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 thing 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 ne'er 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!"

Oh...

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!"

Grr...

"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."

Grr!

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.

I'm definitely glad I'm not a fly!

But wasn't the poem great?

I think it was about people using clever words

to try and get others to do things they don't want to do.

Before we finish, lovely Aimee,

can I just tell you that I really like your outfit?

That colour suits your eyes perfectly.

Oh, and your hair...

What do you want?

Will you come round and put up my shelves for me?

The most important thing to remember,

if you really don't want to do something, just say no.

So, no, Ashley, I'm not going to put up your shelves for you.

Instead, I'll teach you how to do it.

Thank you!

-BOTH:

-Bye!

ALL: Magic hands!

# Just look at my magic

# My magic hands

# Make your fingers super-duper. #

Magic Hands!