“I thought I was supposed to stay put”, I said to George as I followed him. “Someone wants to meet you”, he said. Oh..someone wants to meet me..wait..what? Who wants to meet me? I wondered. George did not answer just kept walking down the path. I sighed.. Yeah no use asking him 10001 questions because that is one taciturn spider and he will reveal only when he is damn good and ready. Soon we arrive at a familiar spot. Crossing the bridge to the enormous tree where the spiders reside I slide a sideways glance at George who says nothing. I shrug and follow him into the tree and down the long flight of stairs. “I always feel like Alice” I say out loud. To be stating that I’m speaking to George would be silly really because he seems only intent on our errand and not in conversing. But I am surprised when he chuckles and replies”stay out of the rabbit holes”. Well what do you know..a sense of humor! I smile and follow him down and soon we reach the bottom. I blink as we step out as my eyes become accustomed to the brightness, and see several that I know well. They come to greet us and we exchange pleasantries. George waits a bit, then says we must be on our way, and we walk toward the weaving hut. Wait. I’m weaving? George opens the door and we walk inside where master weavers are already at work. One comes to me and she and George speak together, then they lead me to a loom in the corner. “I will be back in awhile”, says George then he leaves. Just like that. Well fuck! The spider left with me introduces herself.. “My name is Chantrelle. I will be your instructor today.” She begins to gather threads for the loom. Light, almost airy, silver. Iridescent web-like threads that seem so fragile that if one but breathed on them, they would disappear, and yet as I held them, I feel their strength vibrate and smile at their deceptive looks. Chantrelle shows me how to add the threads, and move the shuttle in and out and around in an intricate panel. Jebus, I think to myself. I am not sure I will learn how to do this one. Chantrelle smiles at me and reassures me that I will indeed learn to weave it. “Just practice with it and I’ll be back to check on you”, she says. So I sit and try to replicate what I have been shown. Soon I have a hopeless mess of knots. I sigh heavily. ” I cannot do this” I say aloud. “Nonsense child”, says a voice behind me. I turn and see her. Grandmere Spider. I have no words because I am in such awe. I never thought that I would ever meet her. Hell truth be known, I never thought I’d meet half of those I have, but to meet influential ones..that always blows my mind. I bow..”It is an honor to meet you Grandmere”, I say. She laughs. “I can say the same, walker of the worlds”. “Now, lets attend to these knots”, and she turns and miraculously untangles all I have done wrong. “The pattern is a similar one that you already use, but has a couple new twists”. Slowly, she takes my hands and places the shuttle in one and instructs me deliberately and patiently . I move the shuttle in and around, and up, down then through as she instructs and before us appears the most perfect star…OMG! I actually did it! I am so excited that I want to jump up and down and laugh, but how would that look to the Grandmother of spiders? Grandmere laughs. “You did well. Now we need to finish the work”. I continue the pattern, marveling over the gossamer texture and the steel resolve of the pattern within. As I move, making the web grow, Chantrell comes back. “My apologies Grandmere”, she says. “I should not have neglected my post”. Grandmere brushes her off. “I will instruct from now on”, she says. “She has a knack for the loom and the web sings from her hands”. Chantrelle moves away and I can see her looking a little confused, but hey, who is gonna argue with the spider in charge right? All too soon, I am finished with the web itself. Grandmere helps me remove it from the loom and we hang it on the wall hooks to admire it. “It’s beautiful”, I say. And it is. It seems to shine with a light of its own as if the stars themselves twinkle within the web. “You did well Cher”, says Grandmere. George returns and bows as he notices who is with me. “I have come to collect my charge”, he says “Take good care of her George, and make sure that she returns often. she and I have a lot to discuss”. I bid Grandmere adieu and George carries the web. We make our way toward the staircase and while I am usually the one with questions, I find that it is George who has them this time. So I explain how I came to have an expert web spinner become my instructor and the pattern she taught me. We reach the top of the stairs and we find Brin waiting for us. George hands her the web and we start toward the glade. I turn and wave good-by to George, who returns the wave then moves on to the shadows. Brin helps me hang the web and as I sit by the fire, I lie back and admire my work. The web adds a new depth and has new meaning. Now I just have to pay attention to those who would explain that.
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