The poem 'Try Again'

Think first: a spider whose web breaks, and it builds it again and again. What does that teach you? Keep that in mind! The next text is 'Try Again' by Eliza Cook. It's a poem that tells a story, so it's written in the narrative style.

King Bruce of Scotland flung himself down (sat down with a thump), in a lonely mood, to think. He was a monarch (king) and wore a crown, but his heart was sinking. He'd been trying to do a great deed, to make his people glad (happy). He'd tried and tried but couldn't succeed, so he became sad.

In despair (with no hope left) he said, "I'll give it all up." Just then a spider dropped down on its silken, filmy clue. (Filmy doesn't mean film stars! It means thin and see-through. And clue here means thread, not a hint.) The King stopped thinking and watched.

It was a long way up to the ceiling, and the spider hung by a rope so fine (here fine means thin, not 'okay'!). How would it reach its web? The King couldn't divine (guess).

It began to cling (hold tight) and crawl straight up with strong endeavour (great effort), and down it came with a slippery sprawl, back near the ground. Up it ran again, without one complaint, till it fell even lower and lay there dizzy and faint. Again it fell and swung below, and again it climbed. Up and down, fast and slow, nine brave attempts were counted.

"Surely," cried the King, "that foolish thing will strive (try) no more to climb!" But up it went once more, the tenth time: an anxious minute! It was only a foot from its web: would it win or lose? Steadily, steadily, inch by inch, higher and higher, and a bold little run at the very end put it into its home.

"Bravo, bravo!" the King cried. "All honour to those who try! The spider up there defied despair (refused to lose hope); it conquered, and why shouldn't I?" Bruce braced his mind (got himself ready), and people say he tried once more, and that time did not fail.