"Look at this on my hand, Mum! A baby spider. He's alright, isn't he? It's his parents that are so frightening."

"Funny thing that, son," said the mother. "I dare say you wouldn't want to meet his parents. Why do you think even baby spiders are nice little things?"

"Because they are little."

"Yes, little and helpless and hardly out to frighten you."

"And when they grow up it's a different matter?"

"Yes, because then they must somehow fend for themselves and their babies."

"Well, at least all spiders were babies once."