Read Online Felix Takes the Stage by Kathryn Lasky - Free Book Online Page A

is his name that condemns him.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with the name Felix?” Julep asked.
    â€œNo, dear child. It’s the name of your species. Brown recluse,” Fatty said softly. “Felix asks not to be judged by the poison in his fangs but by his character. As should each and every one of you.”
    Felix was overwhelmed. Fatty summed it up so well, so perfectly. All this time he had been wrestling with the dilemma. He could not deny who he was. “I want to live in the open,” Felix declared.
    â€œFelix, that is just too dangerous!” Edith was shaking so hard she could barely speak. “We can live in the open when we get to the Place Where Time Has Stopped.”
    â€œBut that place might not exist. Mom, you’re the one who always tells us to seize the day, to make the most of our lives. It is very hard to seize the day if we’re always hiding. We never even see the daylight! And what good has hiding done us anyhow? I admit I was the reason we had to get out of the philharmonic, but no one had ever seen us at Kontiki Antikies.”
    â€œBut they heard about us after the philharmonic hall incident!”
    â€œIt’s no way to live, Mom!”
    â€œEdith.” Fatty began to speak. “You know how I care for you. But Felix is right. You could live in hiding, but should it be at the expense of your children?”
    Edith was very quiet.
    â€œMom?” Felix finally said in a very tiny voice. “Mom, are you mad?”
    â€œNo, no, never. I’m just getting used to the idea.”
    â€œYou mean — we can go out in the world?” Jo Bell asked. Every nano-hair on her eight legs trembled at the very thought.
    Edith paused, looked at Felix, and then looked at each of her daughters. “Yes,” she said. “It’s just going to take me some time to get used to the truth that is before my half dozen eyes. Each one of my children has so … so much potential. And when we get to the Boston Public Library, you will find such inspiration!”
    She turned to Felix. “Keep weaving, Felix, keep spinning. It is beautiful what you are making — it’s an astonishing creation.” She paused. “Perhaps you could make us a lovely circle for circle time, you know.”
    â€œOh, Mom, I’ll make you the best web. My pleasure!”

T he next evening, Edith, her children, and Fat Cat disembarked at South Station in Boston.
    â€œIf I remember correctly, we can take the red line to Park Street and then the green line to Copley,” Edith said.
    â€œWow, Mom!” Her children were impressed. Usually it was Fat Cat who handled public transportation.
    â€œI know buses, your mother knows subways,” Fatty said.
    Within the hour they had arrived at Copley Square.
    â€œGood gracious!” Edith sighed. “I get weak just looking at it!”

    The Boston Public Library was a magnificent building. Despite its massive size, it seemed almost to float against the pink-streaked sky. The granite looked rosy and the arcaded windows had a golden luster. There was something timeless about it, Edith thought, and though it was not the Place Where Time Has Stopped, it held her family’s future.
    â€œIt looks like a palace,” Julep whispered.
    â€œIt is a palace!” Edith said as they climbed the granite steps to the front entrance. “But a palace for everyone. Look up, see the inscription.”
    â€œâ€˜Free to All’!” Felix read.
    Two bronze statues guarded the entrance. “Who are they?” Julep asked.
    â€œThey are supposed to represent the arts and the sciences,” Edith replied. “And look, there is a carved head right above the words ‘Free to All.’ Do you know who that might be?”
    â€œWho?” Jo Bell asked.
    â€œAthena.”
    â€œThe goddess from the story — the one who turned Arachne into a spider!” Julep said.
    â€œI hope she