The Silkworm and Spider by Tomás de Iriarte
A diligent insect works meticulously to produce a finely crafted cocoon through sustained, careful effort. Nearby, a spirited arachnid boasts about her ability to spin an intricate web with speed and flair, proudly declaring her work complete by mid-day. The quiet reply from the laboring artisan emphasizes that the true value of one’s creation is measured not by the volume or rapidity of its production, but by its careful composition and lasting quality. Through their contrasting approaches, the narrative critiques superficial pride and immediate, ostentatious achievements, while celebrating thorough, deliberate craftsmanship. It warns against the vanity of boasting about quantity or speed at the expense of substance and durability, indicating that what is swiftly made often lacks the enduring value of a work assembled with due diligence. The underlying message promotes the idea that quality, obtained through genuine and persistent labor, is ultimately more praiseworthy and meaningful than flashiness and empty self-aggrandizement.
By Tomás de Iriarte · First published 1782 · Genre: Allegory, Fable, Didactic Poetry · 149 words
First lines
At his cocoon a busy Silkworm labored; / A Spider, who with all her might was spinning / Hard by, with laugh malicious, thus bespoke him.
In silly exultation tasks comparing: / "What think you of my web, good Master Silkworm?
This very morning I began it, early, / And now, mid-day will see the job completed.
Just see how fine and beautiful it is, too!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Silkworm and Spider is listed on Textopian as a fable by Tomás de Iriarte, dated 1782 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Tomás de Iriarte
- Date: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Allegory, Fable, Didactic Poetry, Satire
- Length: 149 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Silkworm and Spider by Tomás de Iriarte
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Genres
- Allegory — Uses animal symbolism to convey moral and philosophical lessons.
- Fable — Features non-human characters in a short narrative that teaches a moral lesson.
- Didactic Poetry — Employs verse form to instruct readers on values like quality over quantity.
- Satire — Critiques vanity and superficial achievements through ironic contrasts.
Tags
allegory · fable · didactic · poetry · metaphor · literary analysis · enlightenment · rhetoric · satire · symbolism · narrative · classic