• One day a Raven flew into a barn, before the weather turned cold. He yelled, “Spider, spider where shall you be?"
    "I am here in my web far above your head,” replied the Widow Spider. “In a corner safe from your beak." The Raven said, “Spider, Spider come out and let me speak to you." The Widow, being shy of birds said, “I’ll only come out to speak with you, if you promise not to eat me!" The Raven hesitated for a minute, then he said, “Spider I promise not to eat you today.” The Widow spider thought for a minute and then answered," Well then I will come out to see you. But only for today.” The Raven laughed. "Spider, Spider can you weave a web thick enough to make me a coat?". The Widow Spider answered quickly, “I can but this will cost you two fly’s and a cricket.” The Raven started to get angry Yelling, “That is a tall price to pay for a coat don’t you think?" The Widow spider said abruptly, "NO! Mr. Raven, I do not. I need to eat if I am to make such a large items. If you eat during your hunt, then I wont have to worry about you eating me.” The Raven started to pace back and forth, thinking. He said, "OK, I'll do it but you weave me a large coat, a warm coat.” The Widow spider said, "I will weave you the warmest, best coat anyone has ever seen.” The Raven flew out of the barn and off to find two fly’s and a cricket for payment on his new coat.
    During the time the Raven was out hunting for food, the Widow Spider was hard at work weaving a new coat for the Raven. It took the Spider three days to finish the coat. When the coat was done the Spider took it back to the safety of her corner. When she got there she found two flies and a cricket, trapped in her web. She was so tired that she could not rap her web around her food. The Spider took a nap and when she woke up she took care of the food.
    The Raven returned the next morning, and the Widow Spider said; “This is the best coat I have ever seen for a Raven."
    The Raven looked it over. Then he said; “I like this, It will keep me warm during the coming snow, but perhaps I need a hat to go with this.” The Widow spider said”; I have just enough web left for you a hat, After I rest for awhile." The Raven Questioned; "What do you want in return for the hat?” The Widow Spider answered; "I will make you this hat, and you will not eat me while I am alive or after I have died."
    The Raven thought for a few minutes, then he smiled saying; "You wont know if I eat you after you die, so I will agree to this!" The Widow said; "No I wont know, but I will leave a bad taste in your mouth for telling a lie.” The Raven laughed and said; as he flew out of the barn," Make my hat and, We shall see what happens."
    The Widow Spider ate, and then she rested and slept for one day. When she woke up she started working on the hat. This took another day. When she was finished with the hat. She lay down next to the hat, and went to sleep.
    When the Raven flew back into the barn, he went to the small corner where the Widow Spider was living. He found a red cloth on his journey and brought it back with him. As the Widow Spider lay sleeping the Raven pulled the cloth from the pocket of his new coat, and laid it over her. He took his hat, placed it on his head.
    The Raven said to the sleeping Widow Spider; "Thank you." I will never eat you, you are my friend." The Raven flew away from the barn and was never seen or heard from again.

    THE END