"The Spider and the Fly" by Mary Howitt is a narrative poem that tells the fable of a sly spider who preys on the vanity and innocence of a fly. The spider, through cunning and deceit, repeatedly tries to lure the fly into his web by offering her comfort, praise, and admiration. Though the fly initially resists, recognizing the danger, she ultimately succumbs to the spider’s flattering words, which lead her to her doom.
The poem is structured as a conversation between the spider and the fly, with the spider using sweet but manipulative words to coax the fly into his trap. Each stanza reveals another of the spider’s attempts to entice the fly, showcasing his persistence and the fly’s growing vulnerability. In the end, the spider’s web becomes a metaphor for the consequences of being swayed by false promises and deceptive charm.
Through simple language and vivid imagery, Howitt delivers a strong moral lesson: beware of those who flatter you for selfish reasons, as their intentions may be harmful. The poem warns readers to stay vigilant and not fall prey to smooth talkers, offering an important life lesson wrapped in an engaging fable.

The Tables Turned by William Wordsworth is a poem that highlights the importance of nature as a source of wisdom and enlightenment. In it, the speaker urges a friend to set aside books and intellectual pursuits, which he describes as dull and laborious, and instead embrace the teachings of the natural world. Through the sounds of birds and the beauty of the woods, the poem suggests that nature offers spontaneous wisdom, truth, and moral lessons that surpass what books or scholarly knowledge can provide. Wordsworth promotes the idea that true understanding and joy come from experiencing and learning from nature.