When I was a preschool teacher, I noticed the children were frightened when a spider crawled into the classroom during a storm. They thought the spider wanted to hurt them, so they tried to hurt it first. I knew they would be less afraid and more compassionate if they understood that the spider was just trying to get out of the rain. So, I made up a story about a big wet spider seeking refuge from a storm.
After a few years, I finally wrote the story down on some construction paper and tied it together with yarn. Unfortunately, I am not an illustrator–so I cut the story short (I got tired of trying to draw). My colored pencil spider resembles a tired M&M with legs.
The little yarn-bound book has been sitting on my bookshelf since the late 1980s, gathering dust. Here it is:
BIG WET SPIDER
Blowing wind, lightning flashing
Falling rain, thunder crashing
Hiding from the storm, a big wet spider
underneath a bush in a puddle of water.
“I need to be warm! I need to be dry!
Look out everybody, I’m coming inside!”
Into my house that wet spider crawled
up through the window
down through the hall.
When he got to my room,
he jumped on my bed
and his eight legs wiggled
too close to my head.
“I’m afraid of you, you big wet spider!
Go back outside, before I call mother.”
That’s when the spider started to cry–
“Can’t you see? Oh me! Oh my!
I need to be warm! I need to be dry!
Please let me stay here,” he said with a sigh.
“O.K.,” I replied, “but not on my bed.
Just settle down on the floor instead.”
I gave him a towel to wipe his feet
I gave him a cookie for something to eat.
“Good night,” I said before I laid down.
He smiled at me and didn’t make a sound.
~ms
Before I Forget 
A heartwarming poem, I love it
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Thank you.
I’m not much of an artist though, as you can see by my attempt at illustration. With your watercolors, I know that you could create a wonderfully “soft” non-threatening spider–that doesn’t look like an grouchy M&M ! 🙂
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I have always hated spiders, but I do love your story, SOO maybe next time I see one in the house I’ll think twice before killing it. Strangely enough, though they aren’t spiders I’ve never been bothered by Daddy Long Legs. I have no trouble picking them up or even letting them crawl on me. But spiders, totally another story and I have no idea why.
BTW, I love all your writings.
~ b ~
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I’ve always been afraid of spiders….but I also have no problems picking up Daddy Long Legs because they have never bitten me. I have been bitten by a few “jumping” spiders though, and whenever I see them close by….I get nervous. Especially when I see them turning, and following me with their eyes as I walk by. I know they can jump a good distance when they see something they want to get.
Actually, I am fine with spiders if they don’t come too close—which is why I told the spider in the story that it couldn’t stay in the bed. 🙂 Eeek!
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This is perfectly charming Mary!:)
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Thanks Elena! I truly wish I had your illustrative abilities though
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