Arachne (u rak' nee) was famous throughout the country for her weaving skills. People came from far and wide just to watch her work. Her graceful movements at the loom were delightful. The cloth she made was truly fit for a god! But Arachne was not at all humble about her talent.

"I weave the finest cloth in the world," she boasted. "Even the goddess Athena cannot match my skill."

"Arachne, you mustn't even think that, let alone say it aloud," her friend Diana said. "You should know that the gods don't like to be insulted that way."

"Well, I don't care," Arachne replied. It's true. And I'm tired of everyone saying that Athena must have taught me to weave. I taught myself! I didn't need a goddess to help me!"

One day a ragged old woman knocked on Arachne's door. "What do you want?" Arachne demanded. "I have no time for dirty old beggars. Go away!"

"I want nothing from you," replied the woman. "I came to give you something you need badly "advice!" Arachne was very impatient. "Why should I listen to a miserable ancient creature like yourself? Why, you look as though you're about to die right here on my doorstep!"

"You would do well to listen to me. There are some things the young do not understand. Your pride and boastfulness have angered Athena. Ask her forgiveness and change your foolish ways!"

"Babbling old woman, I think your mind has gone. If Athena thinks she is my equal, why doesn't she come here herself? Then we could see who weaves the finest cloth!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a bright light filled the room. The old woman disappeared. In her place stood the beautiful goddess Athena. "I am here, foolish mortal. You shall have your contest."

Arachne was not at all frightened. She readily agreed to test their skills. The two set up their looms and began to weave. They worked rapidly, for both were masters at their art. Athena's cloth was lovely indeed. Her designs told great stories of the wonderful deeds of the gods. Arachne's work was also beautiful. But the pattern she wove told stories of the gods at their worst behavior! She even showed Zeus as he tricked and deceived human beings. As Athena looked at Arachne's work, she became enraged. The girl was truly gifted, but she dared to openly insult the gods! Athena raised her arm and with a single blow destroyed Arachne's loom.

"You will be well rewarded for your pride," Athena told her. "You, your children, and their children will surely be the most famous of weavers throughout history."

As Athena spoke, Arachne's arms and legs began to shrivel up. Her head and body grew smaller. Eight new, hairy legs sprouted from her body. Arachne's eyes filled with horror as she felt her face change from human to something else. "Go and spin all you wish," Athena laughed.

Arachne, now a spider, scurried across the floor and disappeared under a wall.

Write what these sentences from the story mean.

1. But Arachne was not at all humble about her talent.



2. "Even the goddess Athena cannot match my skill."



3. They worked rapidly, for both were masters at their art.



4. Arachne's eyes filled with horror as she felt her face change from human to something else.



5. "You will be well rewarded for your pride," Athena told Arachne. What was Arachne's reward?



6. Look up irony in the dictionary. Explain how Arachne's reward was filled with irony.



7. Name two things Arachne did that angered Athena.



8. Pride is the feeling one has of importance and self worth. Do you think it is important for people to have pride? Why?



9. Do you think it was fair that Arachne was punished for her pride? Why?



10. Name some things you have done that you are proud of.



11. Explain the difference between pride and boastfulness.