“I hear you boast that you can do finer work than Minerva herself.” Whereupon the foolish young woman spread out her embroidery and weaving, and said: “Minerva can do no better.”
Then the old woman said: “I will challenge you to a contest myself.”
Arachne laughed aloud, but she agreed to the contest. Her pride was aroused, and she and the old woman began to weave. Arachne did her best, but the old woman did her work twice as fast and far more beautiful. The birds she embroidered seemed ready to sing; the trees seemed to bear golden fruit, and the pictures seemed real men and women. It was very wonderful work and those who stood around watching the contest were amazed.
Arachne was so ashamed of her own work and so angry that she said: “Begone, you old witch! leave my house!”
But the old woman turned into the radiant goddess Minerva, and Arachne fled from the house. Finding a rope Arachne tried to hang herself, but Minerva turned her into a spider, and she is still weaving webs to this very day.
ANDROCLUS AND THE LION
Even a wild beast will show gratitude for a kind act.