I hope you enjoy this story. This file is provided for your
convenience to be used only in your home or in your individual 
classroom.  This story, all or in part, may not be published, 
printed, or distributed in any form or on any web site without 
written permission.  Please keep this notice with this file.
Thanks and keep smiling!

Bob Tucker (oldcoach77@aol.com)
Grandpa Tucker's Rhymes and Tales (http://www.grandpatucker.com)

EENCY SPIDER

Eency was always a happy spider
Growing up with her friends beside her.
She loved to eat mom's housefly stew
And crawl on ceilings as spiders do.

Her hairy legs were very long.
Miss Muffett was her favorite song.
At scaring bugs she was really great.
She quickly learned to count to eight.

First grade went by in a blaze of glory,
But second grade was another story.
That's when the spiders all receive
The class that trains them how to weave.

She listened all day, studied at night,
As she tried to learn to weave just right.
For spiders always work with pride,
Weaving their thread from side to side.

She took the thread and wrapped it round 
But it just fell right to the ground.
She tried and tried in every way.
Poor Eency's thread just wouldn't stay.

Pressure built with her frantic tries,
As spider sweat dripped in her eyes.
But when the grades came out, alas,
This little girl failed weaving class.

Her teacher said, "You are the worst.
A non-weaving spider, that's a first."
Eency crawled home, shaking with fear,
She cried when her home web was near.

Her mom and dad were horrified
As they each blamed the other's side.
Their web became a battleground
And Eency wished she weren't around.

And soon a look of sad disgrace
Spoiled her pretty spider face.
Her little heart with sadness torn,
Poor Eency wished she'd not been born.

As in the web she lay her head,
She stretched her leg across a thread.
Then in her grief she sadly hummed,
And as she hummed she slowly strummed.

Plunk, Plunk, Eency, Plunk, Plunk, Eency.
Plink, Plink, Eency, Plink, plink, Weencey.
"Eency  Weency Spider," suddenly came out,
Eency  Weency Spider and then the water spout.

And soon the song that we all know,
Filled the air and began to flow.
Sad Eency's music sounded good,
As it floated through her neighborhood.

And so it wasn't very long
Till all the spiders loved her song.
Then they all shouted with a grin,
"Please, Eency play that once again."

It's strange how quickly such fame spreads,
And other parents scratched their heads.
They made their children try to strum,
Some even bought their kids a drum.

"Why do you weave a silly web?
Please learn to sing or dance instead."
Some soon were begging for the chance
To learn the fancy "eight step" dance.

Now Eency dines on sweet fruit flies,
Crisp cricket legs and insect eyes.
In spider land she can't crawl far
Before she hears, "Here comes our Star."

Her parents now are filled with pride,
With Eency crawling by their side.
The neighbors marvel at the sight,
And say, "Your girl is super bright."

But Eency knows what she went through
And has this message just for you:
"I will not lie, I won't deceive,
I truly did not like to weave.

"Why, weaving spiders are every where
But a musical spider is very rare.
If you can't do what others do
There's always something else for you.

"You may be sad for a little while
But wipe the frown and sprout a smile.
If you can't weave and you can't sing,
Keep trying and you'll find your thing.

		--Grandpa Tucker
		Copyright ©1999 by Bob Tucker
		oldcoach77@aol.com
		
Grandpa Tucker's Rhymes and Tales (http://www.grandpatucker.com)