In the vast stillness of the Arabian desert, where the dunes glowed gold beneath the sun and silence stretched farther than sight, there once lived a devout traveller. His heart was full of faith, and his journey was one of purpose, to carry wisdom from one distant settlement to another. The man travelled alone, guided by the stars and the soft whisper of the wind through the sand.
But one fateful day, as the traveller crossed the open plain, he found himself pursued by men who sought his life. Their voices echoed across the desert, sharp and urgent, their horses kicking up trails of dust. The traveller’s heart raced, yet his faith held firm. “God is my protector,” he whispered, “and He will guide me to safety.”
He ran until his breath grew thin and spotted a small cave hidden among jagged rocks. Without hesitation, he slipped inside and pressed himself against the cool, shadowed wall. The cave was deep and narrow, a dark refuge from the burning sun, but it offered little hope of concealment should his pursuers choose to search within.
Outside, the desert wind calmed. Then, as if answering a silent prayer, a tiny spider descended from the crevice above. Swiftly and with tireless grace, it began to spin a web across the mouth of the cave. Strand by strand, the fine silk glistened faintly in the dim light, forming a delicate curtain that trembled with the slightest breeze. Within moments, the entrance appeared untouched, as though no living soul had passed through it for many days.
When the horsemen reached the rocks, they halted. One dismounted and peered toward the cave. “He must be hiding here!” he shouted. Another man stepped forward, but as his eyes caught the thin shimmer of the web, he shook his head.
“Look at that,” he said. “No one could have entered. The web is unbroken. It would have been torn apart had anyone gone inside.”
The leader frowned, uncertain. But seeing the web whole and perfect, he turned away. “Then he cannot be here. We waste time. Let us ride on.” And so, their hoofbeats faded into the distance until only the wind remained.
Inside the cave, the traveller wept softly, not from fear, but from awe. He looked upon the small spider and said, “O humble creature, through you, the Almighty has worked His mercy.”
When the sun fell and the stars returned, he stepped from his hiding place and continued his journey beneath the night sky. Every step thereafter, he carried with him the memory of the spider’s web, a fragile yet powerful reminder that even the smallest of God’s creations can shield the faithful in their hour of need.
Moral Lesson
The Miracle of the Spider’s Web teaches that divine protection can come through the simplest and humblest means. It reminds us that faith, trust, and humility open paths where human strength cannot, for in the hands of the Creator, even a spider’s web can become a fortress.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the main theme of “The Miracle of the Spider’s Web”?
The story highlights divine protection and the power of faith in moments of danger.
2. What role does the spider play in the story?
The spider acts as an instrument of divine mercy, spinning a web that protects the traveller.
3. Why do the pursuers believe the traveller is not in the cave?
Because the spider’s web is whole and untouched, suggesting that no one has entered.
4. What moral lesson does this Saudi folktale teach?
It teaches trust in divine will and the belief that help can come from even the smallest creatures.
5. How does the desert setting enhance the story’s message?
The harshness of the desert contrasts with the gentleness of the spider’s act, emphasizing faith amid adversity.
6. What does the web symbolise in this religious folktale?
It symbolises divine protection, fragility transformed into strength, and the unseen power of faith.
Source
Adapted from “The Miracle of the Spider’s Web” in Folktales from the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia: Religious Tales), collected by Nadia Jameel Taibah.
Cultural Origin: Saudi Arabia (Arabian folklore)
