What is the name of the tale where the King watches the spider trying to swing to other side?

Question

The spider keeps failing until eventually it succeeds. I think the moral was that you have to keep trying to succeed.

It might not have been a spider.. (I don't like spiders) something else maybe, but the King had been feeling low and takes inspiration from it.

Thanks.

Answer 1

was'nt that robert the bruce?

a thumbs down for the right answer? okaaay.

Answer 2

According to legend, at some point while he was on the run during the winter of 1305-06, Robert the Bruce hid himself in a cave on the east coast of Rathlin Island, where he observed a spider trying to spin a web. Each time the spider failed, it simply started all over again. Inspired by this, Bruce returned to inflict a series of defeats on the English, thus winning him more supporters and eventual victory. The story serves to explain the maxim: "if at first you don't succeed, try try again." Other versions have Bruce defeated for the seventh time by the English, then let him watch the spider spin seven webs, fail, then spin an eighth and succeed.

But this legend appears for the first time in only a much later account -- "Tales of a Grandfather" by Sir Walter Scott -- and may have originally been told about his companion-in-arms Sir James Douglas (the Black Douglas). The entire account may in fact be a version of a literary trope used in royal biographical writing. A similar story is told, for example, in Persian folklore about the Mongolian warlord Tamerlane and an ant.

Answer 3

Its about Robert the Bruce who saw a spider fail several times to spin a web but continues and eventually completes its web. Moral of the story: If at first you don't succeed try, try again.

Could possibly be about Lord James Douglas (the black or good douglas depending on which side you were on)

Answer 4

If you're interested, the reason he was feeling so low, is because his Grandfather, the Syphilitic Ould Whoremonger (as he was known to his friends), had just persuaded him to release the whereabouts of Wallace, Defender of the Scots, Who Really Was That Fabulous, Mel Gibson Told Just The Half That Was Remotely Plausible... so that Wallace could be ripped to ribbons by Proud Edward and all his Ilk.

When Simon Schama did his History of Britain, he just glossed over the fact that there were two Robert the Bruces (three if you count Pig in the Middle, which you shouldn't, no one else ever did) in that story, *and* two William Wallaces. I guess the English don't cope well with complications, or with really glorious people.

So glad I'm only half English - the other half being both Irish and Scottish.

Helen

Answer 5

It's a myth that was built up around Robert the Bruce later to be Robert I of Scotland.
Whilst he was on the run trying to avoid both the Scots and the English, it is said he took refuge in a cave. It was watching this spider that gave him new resolve and inspiration.
It spurred him on to betray many of his noble contemparies, murder the apparent heir and crowned himself King of Scotland.
He had all the qualities of a great medieval king.
This task might have befell his father, but he owned to much territory South the border and was to tied up in the English pockets after fighting most of his life for the English in France.
It is apparantently a myth, but the Bruce was a great politician, warrior and self promoter.
He also went on to be a fine king for his country helping to unite the Scottish nobles and establish the boundaries of Scotland for years to come.

Answer 6

Robert the Bruce who watched the spider keep trying to make a web giving rise to the saying "If at first you don't succeed sky diving is not for you>"

Answer 7

Its the Robert the Bruce story, a King of Scotland

Answer 8

See the link. Robert Bruce of Scotland.

Answer 9

It was Robert the Bruce of Scotland.

http://hazel.forest.net/whootie/stories/bruce_and_spider_scotland.html