ONCE UPON A TIME a long time ago, that is how all he very best fairy stories and indeed any tale should begin. So a gentle Mother was busily cleaning her house in preparation for Christmas. Every where was polished all the nook and cranies were cleaned of spiders till the house positively glowed with love and care. The spiders scurried around getting out of the way of the bizzy lady, they finally fled to the farthest corners of the attic.
T'was Christmas Eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the cildren to see it But the poor spiders were frantic for they could not see the tree nor the visit from the Christ child when he came to bless the house. The oldest and wisest spider suggested they should go and peak in - they did and saw the tree and and they would hide in it and not miss out on the visit.
So they his in the tree but every where they went they left trails of web all over the tree. When the Christ child came to bless the house he was dismayed. He loved the little spiders but he knew how upset the Mother would be. So he reached out and touched the webs and they became sparkling shimmering silver and gold!
Ever since we have trimmed our trees with tinsel and it is custom to include a spider amongst the decorations on the tree.
Adapted by gins