Arachne was a beautiful maiden and the most wonderful weaver that ever
lived. Her father was famed throughout the land for his great skill in
coloring.
He dyed Arachne's wools in all the colors of the rainbow. People came
from miles around to see and admire her work. They all agreed that Queen
Athena must have been her teacher. Arachne proudly said that she had
never been taught to weave. She said that she would be glad to weave
with Athena to see which had the greater skill. In vain her father told
her that perhaps Athena, unseen, guided her hand.
Arachne would not listen and would thank no one for her gift, believing
only in herself. One day as she was boasting of her skill an old woman
came to her. She kindly advised her to accept her rare gift humbly.
"Be thankful that you are so fortunate, Arachne," said she.
"You may give great happiness to others by your beautiful work.
"Queen Athena longs to help you.
"But I warn you. She can do no more for you until you grow unselfish and
kind."
Arachne scorned this advice and said again that nothing would please
her so much as to weave with Athena.
"If I fail," she said, "I will gladly take the punishment, but Athena is
afraid to weave with me."
Then the old woman threw aside her cloak and said, "Athena is here.
"Come, foolish girl, you shall try your skill with hers."
Both went quickly to work and for hours their shuttles flew swiftly in
and out.
Athena, as usual, used the sky for her loom and in it she wove a picture
too beautiful to describe.
If you wish to know more about it look at the western sky when the sun
is setting.
Arachne's work, though her colors were in harmony and her weaving
wonderfully fine, was full of spite and selfishness.
When the work was finished Arachne lifted her eyes to Athena's work.
Instantly she knew that she had failed.
Ashamed and miserable she tried to hang herself in her web.
Athena saw her and said in pity, "No, you shall not die; live and do the
work for which you are best fitted.
"You shall be the mother of a great race which shall be called spiders.
"You and your children shall be among the greatest spinners and weavers
on earth."
As she spoke, Arachne became smaller and smaller until she was scarcely
larger than a fly.
[Illustration]
From that day to this Arachne and her family have been faithful
spinners, but they do their work so quietly and in such dark places,
that very few people know what marvelous weavers they are.