Literature and Art 89 



to Arachne and said, "I am Athena, Queen of the 

 Air. No spinning or weaving can equal my own. 

 You must know that I taught you to do these 

 things." But Arachne proudly answered, "No one 

 taught me, and no one else's work is so wonderful 

 as mine." 



Athena replied, "The truth must be made 

 known. In three days I will come again and we 

 will each weave for all the world to see. If your 

 work is judged best I will never spin or weave 

 again, and if mine is judged best you shall never 

 again use distaff, spindle, or loom." 



The day came, and all the world waited to see 

 the contest. Arachne' s loom was out under the 

 green trees, and all watched with delight, as the fine 

 silken web with its beautiful designs and brilliant 

 colors came from her loom. It seemed as though 

 nothing more beautiful could be made. 



But soon Athena began to weave. Her loom 

 was in the sky, and as she wove it seemed like the 

 unrolling of beautiful pictures. The people forgot 

 all else, even the web of Arachne, and watched 

 only this wonderful weaver. Arachne watched, 

 too, and as the thought of what she had felt and 

 done swept over her, her pride was shamed. She 

 realized also that she could never again use her 

 loom, and her tears fell fast. 



