Step into My Parlour….said the Spider

Morning cuppa..the sun’s not up

Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I’ve a many curious things to shew when you are there.”
Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”

“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue —
Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour — but she ne’er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.*

Isn’t that a great children’s poem? And it seemed to fit the bill too!

Ilva at Lucullian Delight’s invited all of us to share this little special place we all love – our kitchens, where we cook and drink (work and toil), express ourselves – sometimes lazy, sometimes crazy (I’m in the mood for rhyme 🙂 ) – and spend so much energy. Step right in…

I have a small but super-efficient, sunny kitchen, custom designed by TH and I. It is a very-easy-to-keep-clean kitchen. Given the heat and dust of Delhi, most of my equipment stays off the counter but within easy reach. A lot of the photography you see happens near the window.

Usually, it doesn’t look this sparkling in the morning 🙂 – waiting the maids arrival – but since she took this whole week off and it has been up to me, I just do it after dinner is over. That way I get to start my day with tea in a clean clean kitchen in the morning. Did I mention I really love my sunny bright kitchen?! 🙂 Happy cooking!

An ordinary terracotta pot holds all the long slotted spoons, stirrers, rolling pins, ravies and ladles, old and new, from all over the world, …another jar for smaller ones…the onion basket (from Pipalkoti, near Joshimath, Uttaranchal)…you can just see the sun peeping through the large Scholar’s Tree outside.

Now the sun is streaming in…hazaar bottles of pickles tucked into the corner (and more in the cabinet above)…basket with a kinnow and my mom’s big lemons

sink near the sunny window…the copper collander with vegetables washed for todays stir-fry

golden oil bottles (mustard and olive), lac-coloured bamboo jars hold different things at different times (from Dilli Haat!), kerala red rice (for soups), handy candy (more rhyme!)…and the all important salt; the brown pottery in the cabinet above is my work!

*The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt (1821)

Tags: my kitchen, The Spider and the Fly

Blogspot is not working for me tonight…I hope you get the link Ilva. Cannot access any of the blogspot blogs tonight!! Wonder why? Banned again?!

Later: That was just routine maintenance, thank you!