The+Weaving+Contest+–+Minerva+and+Arachne

Arachne was a proud woman, who was also an exquisite weaver. Wood and water nymphs would come out of hiding in the trees and rivers just to watch Arachne dye her wool, and spin the fabric. "Minerva must have given you this wonderful gift!" A wood nymph exclaimed, attempting to complement Arachne. Minerva was the goddess of weaving and crafts of that nature. Arachne just laughed at this, "Minerva hasn't taught me anything! I learned everything on my own!" She then decided that she should challenge Minerva. "Let us see who really is the weaving goddess here!" The nymphs were horrified that someone would say these things about such a powerful goddess. Soon after, the news of this challenge reached Mount Olympus, and Minerva was MAD. She disguised herself as an old woman, and went to Arachne's house to give the girl a piece of her mind. Arachne opened the door and saw an old woman, who waggled her finger and said, "If I were you I wouldn't boast so much, and saying those things about Minerva could get you in a lot of trouble! You should apologize, and she might forgive you!" "Don't tell me what to do! And, if Minerva is so powerful and mighty she should come down here and prove she is better than me!" Arachne told the woman. With that the old woman revealed herself as Minerva and accepted Arachne's challenge. Arachne was scared, but invited her in anyway. They began to weave, and when they were done, the gods came to judge, and all pick Arachne's tapestry as the most beautiful.

Furious, Minerva tore the tapestry, and turned to Arachne. Arachne was terrified of Minerva now,thinking Minerva would surely kill her, but Minerva decided to take pity on Arachne. She turned Arachne into a spider instead, so she would weave forever.

**__The Weaving Contest__**
Arachne, the proud village girl was the best spinner and weaver of wool. Nymphs of all sorts traveled long ways just to watch her dye her wools and weave beautiful tapestries with them.
 * __Chelsea Fang__**

"Minerva must have given you your talent!" a wood nymph declared. Minerva was the goddess of weaving and crafting.

Arachne laughed "Ha! Minerva did not teach me anything. I taught myself everything I know." she boasted. She decided to challenge Minerva to a contest. "Let's who should really be called 'Goddess of the Loom'!" Arachne said her voice filled with pride.

The nymphs were shocked to hear this and they wondered what Minerva would say.

Minerva was furious when she found out what Arachne said. Disgusted she disguised her self as an old woman and hobbled over to Arachne's cottage.

When Arachne opened the door, Minerva scolded her angrily "If I were you I would not compare myself to the mighty Minerva. I would ask her to excuse my pride and arrogance.

"You Senseless Fool!" Arachne yelled. "Why do you come to my door and tell me what to do. If the goddess is as good as she thinks she is then let her come and show me what it is exactly that she can do."

"she is standing right before you" A powerful voice declared. The woman morphed into the powerful goddess Minerva.

Arachne paled and began to regret her choice of words. "Why hello Minerva! I did not see you standing there, are you brave enough to weave against me?"

Minerva glared at her as the nymphs peeked from behind the trees to see what was going on.

"Come in" Arachne said in a mocking tone.

With out a word Minerva stepped inside. Servants ran around in a flurry of colors setting up two looms. Arachne and Minerva sat down and began to work. They fingers flew across the looms in an array of purples, pinks, golds and crimsons.

Minerva tapestry showed the 12 gods and goddesses of Olympus But Arachne wove more than just the gods and goddesses but all their adventures and the whole thing was bordered with flowers and ivy.

The nymphs stood in awe. Put into a trance by Arachne's work. Her work was much better than Minerva's even the goddess Envy inspected it and declared that it was flawless.

Hearing Envy's words Minerva lost her temper. The goddess tore the tapestry into shreds and hit the girl until Arachne scampered away and tried to hang herself.

Minerva felt a little bit of pity and said "You can live, but you will hang for eternity and your weaving will be done in the air."

Minerva sprinkled hellbane over her head and slowly the poor girls hair began to fall out, Her nose and ears fell off too.. Her head shrank until she was mostly a giant belly. Her fingers could still weave. Arachne, the first spider to ever walk the face of the earth wove the first web.