Fall is coming—a kind of spider Christmas—and everyone is excited, but also busy and overwhelmed with responsibilities. Daddy Webster gets sick from the stress and rush of tasks. He loses his ability to spin spider silk. Without it, the family won't be able to participate in the most beautiful part of Indian summer—decorating the tree in the yard. Lili is devastated. Daddy must get well, rest quickly! The others divide up his tasks and get to work. When they gather at the festive table in the evening, Daddy is much better, but his ability to spin spider silk has not yet returned. Maybe the festive dinner will fix it. Grandma bakes ants, and the rest of the Websters pass the time talking about the most interesting adventures they've had lately:
Like when Lili, Hugo, and Grandpa went to the moon in Grandpa's rocket. Or how Lili discovered at a carnival full of beautiful masks that the most boring one looked completely ordinary, yet everyone wanted it. And what about the anxiety when a pandemic of itchy bugs swept through the house and Lili and her friend Ema were left on the balcony with chili peppers.
