Charlotte's Web (Full Audiobook)

Charlotte's Web by EB white chapter 1 before breakfast where's Papa going with dad axe said fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast out to the hog house replied mrs. arable some pigs were born last night I don't see why he needs an axe continued fern who was only eight well said her mother one of the pigs is a runt it's very small and weak and it will never amount to anything so your father has decided to do away with it do away with it shriek burn you mean kill it just because it's smaller than the others mrs. arable put a picture of cream on the table don't yell fern she said your father is right the pig would probably die anyway fern pushed a chair out of the way and ran outdoors the grass was wet in the earth smelled of springtime fern sneakers were sopping by the time she caught up with her father please don't kill it she sobbed it's unfair mr. arable stopped walking fern he said gently you will have to learn to control yourself control myself yelled fern this is a matter of life and death and you're talking about controlling myself tears ran down her cheeks and she took hold of the axe and tried to pull it out of her father's hand fern said mr. arable I know more about raising a litter of pigs than you do a weakling makes trouble now run along but it's unfair cried fern the pig couldn't help being born small could it if I had been very small at Birth would you have killed me mr. arable smiled certainly not he said looking down at his daughter with love but this is different a little girl is one thing a little runty Pig is another I see no difference replied fern still hanging on to the axe this is the most terrible case of injustice I ever heard of a queer look came over John arable space he seemed almost ready to cry himself alright he said you go back to the house and I will bring the runt when I come in I'll let you start it on a bottle like a baby then you'll see what trouble a pig can be when mr. arable returned to the house half an hour later he carried a carton under his arm fern was upstairs changing her sneakers the kitchen table was set for breakfast and the room smelled of coffee bacon Dan plaster and wood smoke from the stove put it on her chair said mrs. arable mr. arable set the carton down at ferns place then he walked to the sink and washed his hands and dried them on the roller towel fern came slowly down the stairs her eyes were red from crying as she approached her chair the carton wobbled and there was a scratching noise fern looked at her father then she lifted the lid of the carton there inside looking up at her was the newborn pig it was a white one the morning light shone through its ears turning them pink he's yours said mr. arable saved from an untimely death and may the good Lord forgive me for this foolishness fern couldn't take her eyes off the tiny pig oh she whispered oh look at him he's absolutely perfect she closed the carton carefully first she kissed her father then she kissed her mother then she opened the lid again lifted the pig out and held it against her cheek at this moment her brother Avery came into the room Avery was ten he was heavily armed an air rifle in one hand a wooden dagger in the other what's that he demanded what's fern got she's got a guest for breakfast said mrs. arable wash her hands and face Avery let's see it said Avery setting his gun down you call that miserable thing a pig that's a fine specimen of a pig it's no bigger than a white rat wash up and eat your breakfast Avery said his mother the school bus will be along in half an hour or can I have a pig to pop a savory no I only distribute pigs to early risers said mr. arable fern was up at daylight trying to rid the world of injustice as a result she now has a pig a small one to be sure but nevertheless a pig it just shows what can happen if a person gets out of bed promptly let's eat but fern couldn't eat until her Pig had had a drink of milk mrs. arable found a baby's nursing bottle in a rubber nipple she poured warm milk into the bottle fitted the nipple over the top and handed it to fern give him his breakfast she said a minute later fern was seated on the floor in the corner of the kitchen with her infant between her knees teaching it to suck from the bottle the pig although tiny had a good appetite and caught on quickly the school bus honked from the road Ron commanded mrs. arable taking the pig from fern and slipping a doughnut into her hand Avery grabbed his gun and another donut the children ran out to the road and climbed into the bus fern took no notice of the others in the bus she just sat and stared out of the window thinking what a blissful world it was and how lucky she was to have entire charge of a pig by the time the bus reached school fern had named her pet selecting the most beautiful name she could think of its name is Wilbur she whispered to herself she was still thinking about the pig when the teacher said fern what is the capital of Pennsylvania Wilbur replied fern dreamily the pupils giggled fern blushed chapter 2 Wilbur fern loved Wilbur more than anything she loved to stroke him to feed him to put him to bed every morning as soon as she got up she warmed his milk tied his bib on and held the bottle for him every afternoon when the school bus stopped in front of her house she jumped out and ran to the kitchen to fix another bottle for him she fed him again at suppertime and again just before going to bed mrs. arable gave him a feeding around noontime each day when fern was away in school Wilbur loved his milk and he was never happier than when fern was warming up a bottle for him he would stand and gaze up at her with adoring eyes for the first few days of his life Wilbur was allowed to live in a box near the stove in the kitchen then when mrs. arable complained he was moved to a bigger box in the woodshed at two weeks of age he was moved outdoors it was apple blossom time and the days were getting warmer mr. arable fixed a small yard specially for Wilbur under an apple tree and gave him a large wooden box full of straw with the doorway cut in it so he could walk in and out as he pleased won't he be cold at night asked fern no said her father you watch and see what he does carrying a bottle of milk fern sat down under the apple tree inside the yard Wilbur ran to her and she held the bottle for him while he sucked when he had finished the last drop he grunted and walked sleepily into the box fern peered through the door Wilbur was poking the straw with his snout in a short time he had dug a tunnel in the straw he crawled into the tunnel and disappeared from sight completely covered with straw fern was enchanted it relieved her mind to know that her baby would sleep covered up and would stay warm every morning after breakfast Wilbur walked out to the road with fern and waited with her till the bus came she would wave goodbye to him and he would stand and watch the bus until it vanished around a turn while fern was in school Wilbur was shut up inside his yard but as soon she got home in the afternoon she would take him out and he would follow her around the place if she went into the house Wilbur went to if she went upstairs Wilbur would wait at the bottom step until she came down again if she took her doll for a walk in the doll carriage Wilbur followed along sometimes on these journeys Wilbur would get tired and fern would pick him up and put him in the carriage alongside the doll he liked this and if he was very tired he would close his eyes and go to sleep under the dolls blanket he looked cute when his eyes were closed because his lashes were so long the doll would close her eyes too and fern would wheel the carriage very slowly and smoothly so as not to wake her infants one warm afternoon fern and Avery put on bathing suits and went down to the brook for a swim Wilbur tanked along at ferns heels when she waded into the brook Wilbur waded in with her he found the water quite cold too cold for his liking so while the children swam and played and splashed water at each other Wilbur amused himself in the mud along the edge of the brook where it was warm and moist and delightfully sticky and oozy every day was a happy day and every night was peaceful Wilbur was what farmers call a spring pig which simply means that he was born in springtime when he was five weeks old mr. arable said he was now big enough to sell and would have to be sold fern broke down and wept but her father was firm about it Wilbur's appetite had increased he was beginning to eat scraps of food in addition to milk mr. arable was not willing to provide for him any longer he had already sold Wilbur's ten brothers and sisters he's got to go fern he said you have had your fun raising a baby pig but Wilbur is not a baby any longer and he has got to be sold call up the Zuckerman's suggested mrs. arable to fern your uncle Homer sometimes raises a pig and if Wilbur goes there to live you can walk down the road and visit him often as you like how much money should I ask for him Ferrand wanted to know well said her father he's a runt tell your uncle Homer you've got a pig you'll sell for six dollars and see what he says it was soon arranged fern phoned and got her Aunt Edith and her Aunt Edith hollered for uncle Homer and uncle Homer came in from the barn and talked to fern when he heard that the price was only six dollars he said he would buy the pig next day Wilbur was taken from his house under the apple tree and went to live in a manure pile in the cellar of Zuckerman's barn chapter three escape the barn was very large it was very old it smelled of hay and it smelled in the nor it smelled of the perspiration of tired horses and the wonderful sweet breath of patient cows it often had a sort of peaceful smell as though nothing bad could happen ever again in the world it smelled a grain and of harness dressing and of axle grease and of rubber boots and of new rope and whenever the cat was given a fish had to eat the barn would smell of fish but mostly it smelled of hay for there was always hay in the great loft up overhead and there was always hay being pitched down to the cows and the horses and the sheep the barn was pleasantly warm in winter when the animals spent most of their time indoors and it was pleasantly cool in summer when the big door stood wide open to the breeze the barn had stalls on the main floor for the workhorses tie-ups on the main floor for the cows a sheepfold down below for the sheep a pigpen down below for Wilbur and it was full of all sorts of things that you find in barns ladders rhinestones pitchforks monkey wretches sign lawn mowers snow shovels axe handles milk pails water buckets empty grain sacks and rusty rat traps what's the kind of barn that swallows like to build their nest in was the kind of bond that children like to play in and the whole thing was owned by ferns uncle mr. Homer L Zukerman boobers new home was in the lower part of the barn directly underneath the cows mr. Zuckerman knew that a manure pile is a good place to keep the young pig pigs need warmth and it was warm and comfortable down there in the barn cellar on the south side fern came almost every day to visit him she found an old milking stool that had been discarded and she placed the stool in the sheepfold next to Wilbur's pen he or she sat quietly during the long afternoons thinking and listening and watching Wilbur the sheep soon got to know her and trust her so did the geese who lived with the sheep all the animals trusted her she was so quiet and friendly mr. Zuckerman did not allow her to take Wilbur out and he did not allow her to get into the Pigpen but he told fern that she could sit on the stool and watch Wilbur as long as she wanted to it made her happy just to be near the pig and it made Wilbur happy to know that she was sitting there right outside his pen but he never had any fun no walks no rides no swims one afternoon in June when Wilbur was almost two months old he wandered out into a small yard outside the barn Ferda not arrived for her usual visit Wilbur stood in the Sun feeling lonely and bored there's never anything to do around here he thought he walked slowly to his food truck and sniffed to see if anything had been overlooked at lunch he found a small strip of potato skin and ate it his back edged so he leaned against the fence and rubbed against the boards when he tired of this he walked indoors climbed to the top of the manure pile and sat down he didn't feel like going to sleep he didn't feel like digging he was tired of standing still tired of lying down I'm less than two months old and I'm tired of living he said he walked out to the yard again when I'm out here he said there's no place to go but in when I'm indoors there's no place to go but out in the yard that's where you're wrong my friend my friend said a voice well we're look through the fence and saw the goose standing there you don't have to stay in that dirty little dirty little dirty little yard said the goose who talked rather fast one of the boards is loose push on it push push push on it and come on out what said Wilbur say it slower yet at the risk of repeating myself said the goose I suggest that you come on out it's wonderful out here did you think a board was loose that I did that I did said the goose Wilbur walked up to the fence and saw that the goose was right one board was loose he put his head down shut his eyes and pushed the board gave way in a minute he had squeezed through the fence and was standing in the long grass outside his yard the goose chuckled how does it feel to be free she asked I like it said Wilbur that is I guess I like it actually Wilbur felt queer to be outside his fence with nothing between him and the big world where do you think I'd better go anywhere you like anywhere you like said the goose go down through the orchard root up the side go down through the garden dig up the radishes root up everything eat grass look for corn look for oats run all over skip and dance jump and prance go down through the orchard and stroll in the woods the world is a wonderful place when you're young I can see that replied Wilbur he gave a jump in the air twirled ran a few steps stopped looked all around sniffed the smells of afternoon and then set off walking down through the orchard pausing in the shade of an apple tree he put his strong stout into the ground and began pushing digging and rooting he felt very happy he had ploughed up quite a piece of ground before anyone noticed him mrs. Zuckerman was the first to see him she saw him from the kitchen window and she immediately shouted for the men Homer she cried pigs out larvae pigs out homer larvae pigs out he's down there under the apple tree now the trouble starts thought Wilbur he'll catch it the goose heard the racket and she too started hollering run run run downhill make for the woods the woods she shouted to Wilbur they'll never Nevernever catch you in the woods the cocker spaniel heard the commotion and he ran out from the barn to join the chase mr. Zuckerman heard and he came out of the machine shed where he was mending a tool lurvy the hired man heard the noise and came up from the asparagus patch where he was pulling weeds everyone walked toward Wilbur and Wilbur didn't know what to do the woods seemed a long way off in any way he had never been down there in the woods and wasn't sure he would like it get around behind him lurvy said mr. Zuckerman and drive him toward the barn take it easy don't rush him I'll go and get a bucket of slop the news of Wilbur's escape spread rapidly among the animals on the place whenever any creature broke loose on Zuckerman's farm the event was a great interest to the others the goose shouted to the nearest cow that Wilbur was free and soon all the cows knew then one of the cows told one of the sheep and soon all the sheep knew the Lambs learned about it from their mothers the horses in their stalls in the barn pricked up their ears when they heard the goose hollering and soon the horses had caught on to what was happening Wilbur's out they said every animal stirred and lifted its head and became excited to know that one of his friends had got free and was no longer penned up or tied miss Wilbur didn't know what to do or which way to run it seemed as though everybody was after him if this is what it's like to be free he thought I believe I'd rather be penned up in my own yard the cocker spaniel was sneaking up on him from one side lorry the hired man was sneaking up on him from the other side mrs. Zuckerman stood ready to head him off if he started for the garden and now mr. Zuckerman was coming down toward him carrying a pail this is really awful thought Wilbur why doesn't fern come he began to cry the goose took command and began to give orders don't just stand there Wilbur dodged about dodge about cried the goose skip around run toward me slip in and out in and out in and out make for the woods twist and turn the cocker spaniel sprang for Wilbur's hind leg Wilbur jumped and ran murphy reached out and grabbed mrs. Zuckerman screamed at lurvy the goose cheered for Wilbur Wilbur dodged between lurvy sleigh lurvy missed Wilbur and grab the spaniel instead nicely done nicely done and cried the goose try it again try it again run downhill suggested the cows run toward me yelled the gander run uphill cried the Sheep turn and twist honk the goose jump and dance said the rooster look out for lurvy called the cows look out for soccer men yelled the gander watch out for the dog scream the Sheep listen to me listen to me screamed the goose poor Wilbur was dazed and frightened by this hullabaloo he didn't like being the center of all this fuss he tried to follow the instructions his friends were giving him but he couldn't run downhill and uphill at the same time and he couldn't turn and twist when he was jumping and dancing and he was crying so hard he could barely see anything that was happening after all whoever was a very young Pig not much more than a baby really he wished fern were there to take him in her arms and comfort him when he looked up and saw mr. Zuckerman standing quite close to him holding a pail of warm slaps he felt relieved he lifted his nose and sniffed the smell was delicious warm milk potato skins wheat middlings Kellogg's cornflakes and a popover left from the Zuckerman's breakfast come Pig said mr. Zuckerman tapping the pail come Pig Wilbur took a step toward the pail no no no said the goose it's the old pail trick Wilbur don't fall for it don't fall for it he's trying to lure you back into captivity hippity he's appealing to your stomach Wilbur didn't care the food smelled appetizing he took another step toward the pail pig pig said mr. Zuckerman in a kind voice and began walking slowly toward the barnyard looking all about him innocently as if he didn't know that a little white pig was following along behind him you'll be sorry sorry-sorry called the goose Wilbur didn't care he kept walking toward the pail of slaps you'll miss your freedom honk the goose an hour of freedom is worth a barrel of slaps Wilbur didn't care when mr. Zuckerman reached the Pigpen he climbed over the fence and poured the slots into the trough then he pulled the loose board away from the fence so there was a wide hole for Wilbur to walk through reconsider reconsider pride the goose Wilber paid no attention he stepped through the fence into his yard he walked to the trough and took a long drink of slops sucking in the milk hungrily and chewing the popover it was good to be home again while Wilber ate lurvy fetched a hammer and some eight-penny nails and nailed the board in place then he and mr. Zuckerman ledin lazily on the fence and mr. Zuckerman scratched Wilbur's back with a stick he's quite a pig said lurvy he'll make a good Pig said mr. Zuckerman Wilbur heard the words of praise he felt the warm milk inside his stomach he felt the pleasant rubbing of the stick along his itchy back he felt peaceful and happy and sleepy this had been a tiring afternoon it was still only about four o'clock but Wilbur was ready for bed I'm really too young to go out and through the world alone he thought as he lay down chapter four loneliness the next day was rainy and dark rain fell on the roof of the barn and dripped steadily from the eaves rain fell in the barnyard and ran in crooked courses down into the lane where thistles and pigweed grew rain spattered against mrs. Zuckerman's kitchen windows and King gushing out of the downspouts rain fell on the backs of the sheep as they grazed in the meadow when the Sheep tired of standing in the rain they walked slowly up the lane and into the fold rain upset Wilbur's plans Wilbur had planned to go out this day and dig a new hole in his yard he had other plans too his plans for the day went something like this breakfast at 6:30 skim milk crusts middlings bits of doughnuts wheat cakes with drops of maple syrup sticking to them potato skins leftover custard pudding with raisins and bits of shredded wheat breakfast would be finished at 7:00 from 7:00 to 8:00 Wilbur planned to have a talk with Templeton the rat that lived under his trough talking with Templeton was not the most interesting occupation in the world but it was better than nothing from 8 to 9 Wilbur and to take a nap outdoors in the Sun from 9:00 to 11:00 he planned to dig a hole or trench and possibly find something good to eat buried in the dirt from 11:00 to 12:00 he planned to stand still and watch flies on the board's watch bees in the clover and watch swallows in the air 12 o'clock lunchtime middlings warm water apple pairings meat gravy carrot scrapings meat scraps stale hominy and the wrapper off a package of cheese lunch would be over at 1:00 from 1:00 to 2:00 wilbur planned to sleep from 2:00 to 3:00 he planned to scratch itchy places by rubbing against the fence from 3:00 to 4:00 he planned to stand perfectly still and think of what it was like to be alive and to wait for fern at 4:00 would come supper skim milk provender leftover to sandwich from lurvy lunchbox prune skins a morsel of this a bit of that fried potatoes marmalade drippings a little more of this a little more of that a piece of baked apple is scrap of upside-down cake Wilbur had gone to sleeps thinking about these plans he awoke at 6:00 and saw the rain and it seemed as though he couldn't bear it I get everything all beautifully planned out and it has to go and rain he said for a while he stood gloomily indoors then he walked to the door and looked out drops of rain struck his face his yard was cold and wet his trough had an inch of rain water in it Templeton was nowhere to be seen are you out there Templeton called Wilbur there was no answer suddenly Wilbur felt lonely and friendless one day just like another he groaned I'm very young I have no real friends here in the barn it's going to rain all morning and all afternoon and fern won't come in such bad weather Oh honestly and Wilbur was crying again for the second time in two days at 6:30 Wilbur heard the banging of a pail lurvy was standing outside in the rain stirring up rec fost come on Pig Sedlar V Wilbur did not budge lurvy dumped the slop scraped the pail and walked away he noticed that something was wrong with the pig boomer didn't want food he wanted love he wanted a friend someone who would play with him he mentioned this to the goose who was sitting quietly in a corner of the sheepfold will you come over and play with me he asked sorry Sonny sorry said the goose I'm sitting sitting on my eggs eight of them got to keep them toasty toasty warm I have to stay right here I'm no flibberty gibberty gibbet I do not play when there are eggs to hatch I'm expecting Gosling's well I didn't think you were expecting woodpeckers said Wilbur bitterly Wilbur next tried one of the lambs will you play with me he asked certainly not said the lamb in the first place I cannot get into your pen as I am not old enough to jump over the fence in the second place I'm not interested in pigs Kings mean less than nothing to me what do you mean less than nothing replied Wilbur I don't think there is any such thing as less than nothing nothing is absolutely the limit of nothing less it's the lowest you can go it's the end of the line how can something be less than nothing if there was something that was less than nothing then nothing would not be nothing it would be something even though it's just a very little bit of something but if nothing is nothing then nothing has nothing that is less than it is Oh be quiet said the lamb go play by yourself I don't play with pigs sadly Wilbur lay down and listen to the rain soon he saw the rat climbing down a slanting board that he used as a stairway will you play with me Templeton asked Wilbur play said Templeton twirling his whiskers play I hardly know the meaning of the word well said well BER it means to have fun to frolic to run and skip and make merry I never do those things if I can avoid them replied the rats hourly I prefer to spend my time eating gnawing spying and hiding I am a glutton but not a merry maker right now I am on my way to your trough to eat your breakfast since you haven't got sense enough to eat it yourself and Templeton the rat crept stealthily along the wall and disappeared into a private tunnel that he had dug between the door and the trough in Wilbur's yard Templeton was a crafty rat and he had things pretty much his own way the tunnel was an example of his skill and cunning the tunnel enabled him to get from the barn to his hiding place under the pig trough without coming out into the open he had tunnels and runways all over mr. Zuckerman's farm and could get from one place to another without being seen usually he slept during the day time and was abroad only after dark Wilbur watched him disappear into his tunnel in a moment he saw the rats sharp nose poked out from underneath the wooden trough cautiously Templeton pulled himself up over the edge of the trough this was almost more than Wilbur could stand on this dreary rear rainy day to see his breakfast being eaten by somebody else he knew Templeton was getting soaked out there in the pouring rain but even that didn't comfort him friendless dejected and hungry he threw himself down in the manure and sobbed late in the afternoon Murphy went to mr. Zuckerman I think there's something wrong with that pig ears he hasn't touched his food given two spoonfuls of sulphur and a little molasses said mr. Zuckerman Wilbur couldn't believe what was happening him when lurvy caught him and forced the medicine down his throat this was certainly the worst day of his life he didn't know whether he could endure the awful loneliness anymore darkness settled over everything soon there were only shadows and the noises of the sheep chewing their cuts and occasionally the rattle of how chained up overhead you can imagine Wilbur surprised when out of the darkness came a small voice he had never heard before it sounded rather thin but pleasant do you want a friend Wilbur it said I'll be a friend to you I've watched you all day and I like you but I can't see you said Wilbur jumping to his feet where are you and who are you I'm right up here said the voice go to sleep you'll see me in the morning chapter 5 Charlotte the night seemed long Wilbur stomach was empty and his mind was full and when your stomach is empty and your mind is full it's always hard to sleep a dozen times during the night Wilbur woke and stared into the blackness listening to the sounds and trying to figure out what time it was a barn is never perfectly quiet even at midnight there is usually something stirring the first time he woke he heard Templeton gnawing a hole in the grain bin Templeton's teeth scraped loudly against the wood and made quite a racket that crazy rat thought Wilbur why does he have to stay up all night grinding his clashers and destroying people's property why can't he go to sleep like any decent animal the second time Wilbur woke he heard the goose turning on her nest and chuckling to herself what time is it whispered Wilbur to the goose probably obably obably about half-past eleven said the goose why aren't you asleep Wilbur too many things on my mind said Wilbur well said the goose that's not my problem I have nothing at all on my mind but I have too many things under my behind have you ever tried to sleep while sitting on eight eggs no replied Wilbur I suppose it is uncomfortable how long does it take a goose egg to hatch approximately accidentally thirty days all told answered the goose but I cheat a little on warm afternoons I pull a little straw over the eggs and go out for a walk Wilbur yawned and went back to sleep in his dreams he heard again the voice saying I'll be a friend to you go to sleep you'll see me in the morning about half an hour before dawn Wilbur woke and listened the barn was still dark the sheep lay motionless even the goose was quiet overhead on the main floor nothing stirred the cows were resting the horses dozed Templeton had quit work and gone off somewhere on an errand the only sound was a slight scraping noise from the rooftop where the weather vane swung back and forth Wilbur loved the barn when it was like this calm and quiet waiting for light day is almost here he thought through a small window a faint gleam appeared one by one the stars went out Wilbur could see the goose a few feet away she sat with head tucked under a wing then he could see the sheep in the Lambs the sky lightened a beautiful day it is here at last today I shall find my friend Wilbur looked everywhere he searched his pen thoroughly he examined the window ledge stared up at the ceiling but he saw nothing new finally he decided he would have to speak up he hated to break the lovely stillness of dawn by using his voice but he couldn't think of any other way to locate the mysterious new friend who was nowhere to be seen so Wilbur cleared his throat attention please he said in a loud firm voice well the party who addressed me at bedtime last night kindly make himself or herself known by giving an appropriate sign or signal Wilbur paused and listened all the other animals lifted their heads and stared at him Wilbur blushed but he was determined to get in touch with his unknown friend attention please he said I will repeat the message will the party who addressed me at bedtime last night kindly speak up please tell me where you are if you are my friend the Sheep looked at each other in disgust stop your nonsense Wilbur said the oldest sheep if you have a new friend here you are probably disturbing his rest and the quickest way to spoil a friendship is to wake someone up in the morning before he is ready how can you be sure your friend is an early riser I beg everyone's pardon whispered Wilbur I didn't mean to be an objectionable he lay down meekly in the manure facing the door he did not know it but his friend was very near and the old sheep was right the friend was still asleep so lurvy appeared with slaps for breakfast Wilbur rushed out ate everything in a hurry and licked the trough the Sheep moved off down the lane the gander waddled along behind them pulling grass and then just as Wilbur was settling down for his morning nap he heard again the thin voice that had addressed him the night before salutations said the voice Wilbur jumped to his feet tell you what he cried Salutations repeated the voice what are they and where are you screamed Wilbur please please tell me where you are and what are salutations salutations our greetings said the voice when I say salutations it's just my fancy way of saying hello or good morning actually it's a silly expression and I am surprised that I used it at all as for my whereabouts that's easy look up here in the corner of the doorway Here I am look I'm waving at last Wilbur saw the creature that had spoken to him in such a kindly way stretched across the upper part of the doorway was a big spiderweb and hanging from the top of the web head down was a large grey spider she was about the size of a gumdrop she had eight legs and she was waving one of them at Wilbur in a friendly greeting see me now she asked oh yes indeed said Wilbur yes indeed how are you good morning salutations very pleased to meet you what is your name please may have your name my name said the spider is Charlotte Charlotte what said Wilbur eagerly Charlotte a cavity cut they call me Charlotte I think you're beautiful said Wilbur well I am pretty replied Charlotte there is no denying that almost all spiders are rather nice-looking I'm not as flashy as some but I'll do I wish I could see you Wilbur as clearly as you can see me why can't you ask the pig I'm right here yes but I'm nearsighted replied Charlotte I've always been dreadfully nearsighted it's good in some ways not so good in others watch me wrap up this fly a fly that had been crawling along Wilbur's trough had flown up and blundered into the lower part of Charlotte's Web and was tangled in the sticky threads the fly was beating its wings furiously trying to break loose and free itself first shed she said Charlotte I dive at him she plunged headfirst toward the fly as she dropped a tiny silken thread unwound from her rear end next I wrap him out she grabbed the fly through a few Jets of silk around it and rolled it over and over wrapping it so it couldn't move Wilbur watched in horror he could hardly believe what he was seeing and although he detested flies he was sorry for this one there said Charlotte now I knock him out so he'll be more comfortable she bit the fly he can't feel a thing she remarked he'll make a perfect breakfast for me yummy need flies gasps Wilbur certainly flies bugs grasshoppers choice beetles moths butterflies tasty cockroaches gnats midges daddy longlegs scent kids mosquitos crickets anything that is careless enough to get caught in my web I have to live don't I why yes of course said Wilbur do they taste good delicious of course I don't really eat them I drink them drink their blood I love blood said Charlotte and her pleasant and voice grew even thinner and more pleasant don't say that groaned Wilbur please don't say things like that why not it's true and I have to say what is true I'm not entirely happy about my diet of flies and bugs but it's the way I made a spider has to pick up a living somehow or other and I happen to be a trapper I just naturally build a web and trap flies and other insects my mother was a trapper before me her mother was a trapper before her all our family have been trappers way back for thousands and thousands of years we spiders have been laying for it flies and bugs it's a miserable inheritance said Wilbur gloomily he was sad because his new friend was so bloodthirsty yes it is agreed Charlotte but I can't help it I don't know how the first spider in the early days of the world happen to think up this fancy idea of spinning a web but she did and it was clever of her to and since then all of us spiders have had to work the same trick it's not a bad pitch on the whole it's cruel replied Wilbur who did not intend to be argued out of his position well you can't talk said Charlotte you have your meals brought to you in a pail nobody feeds me I have to get my own living I live by my wits I have to be sharp and clever lest I go hungry I have to think things out catch what I can take what comes and it just so happens my friend that what comes is flies and insects and bugs and furthermore said Charlotte shaking one of her legs do you realize that if I didn't catch bugs and eat them bugs would increase and multiply get so numerous that they destroy the earth wipe out everything really said Wilbur I wouldn't want that to happen perhaps your web is a good thing after all the goose had been listening to this conversation and chuckling to herself there are a lot of things where doesn't know about life she thought he's really a very innocent little pig he doesn't even know what's going to happen to him around Christmas time he has no idea that mr. Zuckerman and lurvy are plotting to kill him and the goose raised herself a bit and poked her eggs a little further under her so that they would receive the full heat from her warm body and soft feathers Charlotte stood quietly over the fly preparing to eat it Wilbur lay down and closed his eyes he was tired from his wakeful night and from the excitement of meeting someone for the first time a breeze brought him the smell of clover the sweet smelling world beyond his fence well he thought I've got a new friend all right but what a gamble friendship is Charlotte is fierce brutal scheming blood bloodthirsty everything I don't like how can I learn to like her even though she is pretty and of course clever Wilbur was merely suffering the doubts and fears that often go with finding a new friend in good time he was to discover that he was mistaken about Charlotte underneath her rather bold and cruel exterior she had a kind heart and she was to prove loyal and true to the very end Chapter six summer days the early summer days on a farm are the happiest and fairest days of the year lilacs bloom and make the air sweet and then fade apple blossoms come with the lilacs and the bees visit around among the apple trees the days grow warm and soft school ends and children have time to play and to fish for trout sin the brook Avery often brought a trout home in his pocket warm and stiff and ready to be fried for supper now that school was over fern visited the barn almost every day to sit quietly on her stool the animals treated her as an equal the Sheep lay calmly at her feet around the first of July the workhorses were hitched to the mowing machine and mr. Zuckerman climbed into the seat and drove into the field all morning could hear the rattle of the machine as it went round and round while the tall grass fell down behind the cutter bar in long green swaths next day if there was no thundershower all hands would help break and pitch and load and the hay would be hauled to the barn in the high hay wagon with fern and Avery riding at the top of the load then the hay would be hoisted sweet and warm into the big loft until the whole barn seemed like a wonderful bed of Timothy and clover it was fine to jump in and perfect to hide in and sometimes Avery would find a little grass snake in the hay and would add it to the other things in his pocket early summer days are a jubilee time for birds in the fields around the house in the barn in the woods in the swamp everywhere lovin songs and nests and eggs from the edge of the woods the white-throated Sparrow which must have come all the way from Boston calls Oh Peabody Peabody Peabody on an apple ball the Phoebe teeters and wags its tail and says Phoebe Phoebe the song sparrow who knows how brief and lovely life is says sweet sweet sweet interlude sweet sweet sweet interlude if you enter the barn the swallows swoop down from their nests and scold chiki chiki they say in early summer there are plenty of things for a child to eat and drink and suck and chew dandelion stems are full of milk clover heads are loaded with nectar the frigid air is full of ice-cold drinks everywhere you look is life even the little ball of spit on the weed stock if you poke it apart has a green worm inside it and on the underside of the leaf of the potato vine are the bright orange of eggs of the potato bug it was on a day in early summer that the goose eggs hatched this was an important event in the barn cellar fern was there sitting on her stool when it happened except for the goose herself Charlotte was the first to know that the Gosling's had at last arrived the goose knew a day in advance that they were coming she could hear their weak voices calling from inside the egg she knew that they were in a desperately cramped position inside the shell and were most anxious to break through and get out so she sat quite still and talked less than usual when the first Gosling poked its gray green head through the gooses feathers and looked around Charlotte spied it and made the announcement I am sure she said that every one of us here will be gratified to learn that after four weeks of unremitting effort and patience on the part of our friend the goose she now has something to show for it the Gosling's have arrived may I offer my sincere congratulations thank you thank you thank you said the goose nodding and bowing shamelessly thank you said the gander congratulations shouted Wilbur how many goslings are there I can only see one there are seven said the goose fine said Charlotte seven is a lucky number luck had nothing to do with this said the goose it was good management and hard work at this point Templeton showed his nose from his hiding place under Wilbur's trough he glanced at fern then crept cautiously toward the goose keeping close to the wall watched him for he was not well-liked not trusted look he began in his sharp voice you say you have seven goslings there were eight eggs what happened to the other egg why didn't it hatch it's a dud I guess said the goose what are you going to do with it continued Templeton his little round beady eyes fixed on the goose you can have it replied the goose roll it away and add it to that nasty collection of yours Templeton had a habit of picking up unusual objects around the farm and storing them in his home he saved everything certainly earlier today gander you may have the egg but I'll tell you one thing Templeton if I ever catch you poking okie Woking your ugly nose around our Gosling's i'll give you the worst pounding a rat ever took and the gander opened his strong wings and beat the air with them to show his power he was strong and brave but the truth is both the goosing the gander were worried about Templeton and with good reason the rat had no morals no conscience no scruples no consideration no decency no milk of rodent kindness no compunctions no higher feeling no friendliness no nothing he would kill a Gosling if he could get away with it the goose knew that everybody knew that with her broad bill the goose pushed the unhatched egg out of the nest and the entire company watched and disgust while the rat rolled it away even wilbur who could eat almost anything was appalled imagine wanting a junky old rotten egg he muttered a rat is a rat said Charlotte she laughed a tinkling little laugh but my friends if that ancient egg ever breaks this barn will be untenable what's that mean asked Wilbur it means nobody will be able to live here on account of the smell a rotten egg is a regular stink bomb I won't break it snarl templeton I know what I'm doing I handle stuff like this all the time he disappeared into his tunnel pushing the goose egg in front of him he pushed a nudge till he succeeded in rolling it to his lair under the trough dad afternoon when the wind had died down and the barnyard was quiet and warm the gray goose led her seven goslings off the nest and out into the world mr. Zuckerman spied them when he came with Wilbur's supper well hello there he said smiling all over let's see one two three four five six seven seven baby geese now isn't that lovely Chapter seven bad news over like Charlotte better and better each day her campaign against insects seems sensible and useful hardly anybody around the farm had a good word to say for a fly fly spent their time pestering others the cows hated them the horses detected them the Sheep loathed them mister mrs. Zuckerman were always complaining about them and putting up screams Wilbur admired the way Charlotte managed he was particularly glad that she always put her victim to sleep before eating it it's real thoughtful of you to do that Charlotte he said yes she said in her sweet musical voice I always give them an anesthetic so they won't feel pain it's a little service I throw in as the days went by Wilbur grew and grew he ate three big meals a day he spent long hours lying on his side half asleep dreaming pleasant dreams he enjoyed good health and he gained a lot of weight one afternoon when fern was sitting on her stool the oldest sheep walked into the barn and stopped to pay a call on Wilbur hello she said seems to me you're putting on weight yes I guess I am replied Wilbur and my age it's a good idea to keep gaining just the same I don't envy you said the old sheep you know why they're fattening you up don't you no said Wilbur well I don't like to spread bad news said the Sheep they're fattening you up because they're going to kill you that's why they're going to what screamed Wilbur fern grew rigid on her stool kill you turn you into smoked bacon and ham continued the old sheep almost all young pigs get murdered by the farmer as soon as the real cold weather sets in there's a regular conspiracy around here to kill you at Christmastime everybody is in on the plot lurvy Zukerman even john arable mr. arable sobbed Wilbur firm's father certainly when a pig is to be butchered everybody helps I'm an old sheep and I see the same thing same old business year after year arable arrives with his 22 shoots the stop screamed Wilbur I don't want to die save me somebody save me fern was about to jump up when a voice was heard be quiet Wilbur said Charlotte who had been listening to this awful conversation I can't be quiet screamed Wilbur racing up and down I don't want to be killed I don't want to die is it true what the old sheep says Charlotte is it true they're going to kill me when the cold weather comes well said the spider fucking's thoughtfully at her web the old sheep has been around this barn a long time she has seen many a spring Pig come and go if she says they plan to kill you I'm sure it's true it's also the dirtiest trick I ever heard of what people don't think of Wilbur burst into tears I don't want to die he moaned I want to stay alive right here in my comfortable manure pile with all my friends I want to breathe the beautiful air and lie in the beautiful Sun you're certainly making a beautiful noise snap the old sheep I don't want to die screen Wilbur throwing himself to the ground you shall not die said Charlotte briskly what really cried Wilbur who's going to save me I am such Charlotte how asked Wilbur that remains to be seen but I am going to save you and I want you to quiet down immediately you're carrying on childish way stop your crying I can't stand hysterics chapter 8 a talk at home on Sunday morning mr. mrs. arable and fern were sitting at breakfast in the kitchen Avery had finished and was upstairs looking for his slingshot did you know that uncle homers goslings had hatched as fern how many asked mr. arable seven replied fern there were eight eggs but one egg didn't hatch and the goose told Templeton she didn't want it anymore so he took it away the goose did what asked mrs. arable gazing at her daughter with a queer worried look told Templeton she didn't want the egg anymore repeated fern who was Templeton asked mrs. arable he's the rat replied fern none of us liked him much who's us ask mr. arable oh everybody in the barn cellar Wilbur and the Sheep and the Lambs and the goose and the gander and the Gosling's and Charlotte and me Charlotte said mrs. arable who's Charlotte she's Wilbur's best friend she's terribly clever what does she look like yes mrs. arable well said fern thoughtfully she has eight legs all spiders do I guess Charlotte is a spider asked ferns mother fur knotted a big gray one she has a web across the top of Wilbur's doorway she catches flies and sucks their blood Wilbur adores her does he really said mrs. arable rather vaguely she was staring at fern with a worried expression on her face oh yes Wilbur adores Charlotte said fern do you know what Charlotte said when the Gosling's hatched I haven't the faintest idea said mr. arable tell us well when the first Gosling stuck its head out from under the goose I was sitting on my stool in the corner and Charlotte was on her web she made a speech she said I'm sure that every one of us here in the bar and cellar will be gratified to learn that after four weeks of unremitting effort and patience on the part of the goose she now has something to show for it don't you think that was a pleasant thing for her to say yes I do said mrs. arable and now fern it's time to get ready for Sunday school and tell Avery to get ready and this afternoon you can tell me more about what goes on in uncle homers barn aren't you spending quite a lot of time there you go there almost every afternoon don't you I like it there plied fern she wiped her mouth and ran upstairs after she left the room mrs. arable spoke in a low voice to her husband I worry about fern she said did you hear the way she rambled on about the animals pretending that they talked mr. arable chuckled maybe they do talk I'm sometimes wondered at any rate don't worry about fern she's just got a lively imagination kids think they hear all sorts of things just the same I do worry about her replied mrs. arable I think I shall ask dr. Dorian about her the next time I see him he loves fern almost as much as we do and I want him to know how queerly she is acting about that pig and everything I don't think it's normal you know perfectly well animals don't talk mr. arable grinned maybe our ears aren't too sharp as ferns he said chapter 9 Wilbur's boast a spider's web is stronger than it looks although it is made of thin delicate strands the web is not easily broken however a web gets torn every day by the insects that kick around in it and a spider must rebuild it when it gets full of holes Charlotte liked to do her weaving during the late afternoon and fern like to sit nearby and watch one afternoon she heard a most interesting conversation and witnessed a strange event you have awfully hairy legs Charlotte said Wilbur as the spider busily worked at her task my legs are hairy for a good reason replied Charlotte furthermore each leg of mine has seven sections the coxa the trochanter the femur the patella the tibia the metatarsus and the Tarsus Wilbur said bolt upright you're kidding he said no I'm not either say those names again I didn't catch them the first time coxa trochanter femur patella tibia metatarsus and Tarsus goodness said Wilbur looking down at his own chubby legs I don't think my legs have seven sections well said Charlotte you and I lead different lives you don't have to spin a web that takes real leg work I could spin a web if I tried said Wilbur boasting I've just never tried let's see you do it said Charlotte fern chuckled softly and her eyes grew wide with love for the pig okay replied Wilbur you coach me and I'll spin one must be a lot of fun to spin a web how do I start take a deep breath said Charlotte smiling Wilbur breathe deeply now climb to the highest place you can get to like this Charlotte raced up to the top of the doorway Wilbur scrambled to the top of the manure pile very good said Charlotte now make an attachment with your spinnerets hurl yourself into space and let out a drag line as you go down Wilbur hesitated a moment then jumped out into the air he lanced hastily behind to see if a piece of rope was following him to check his fall but nothing seemed to be happening in his rear and the next thing he knew he landed with a thump OOP he grunted Charlotte laughed so hard her web began to sway what did I do wrong has the pig when he recovered from his bump nothing said Charlotte it was a nice try I think I'll try again said Wilbur cheerfully I believe what I need is a little piece of string to hold me the pig walked out to his yard you there Templeton he called the rat poked his head out from under the trough got a little piece of string I could borrow yes Wilbur I need it to spin a web yes indeed replied Templeton who saved string no trouble at all anything to oblige he crept down into his hole pushed the goose egg out of the way and returned with an old piece of dirty white string Wilbur examined it that's just the thing he said tie one end to my tail will you Templeton Wilbur crouched low with his thin curly tail toward the rat Templeton seized the string passed it around the end of the pig's tail and tied to half hitches Charlotte watched into light like fern she was truly fond of Wilbur whose smelly pen and stale food attracted the Flies that she needed and she was proud to see that he was not a quitter and was willing to try again to spin a web while the rat and the spider and the little girl watched Wilbur climbed again to the top of the manure pile full of energy and hope everybody watch he cried and summoning all his strength he threw himself into the air headfirst the string trailed behind him but as he had neglected to fasten the other end to anything it didn't really do any good and Wilbur landed with a thud crushed and hurt tears came to his eyes Templeton grinned Charlotte just sat quietly after a bit she spoke you can't spin a web Wilbur and I advise you to put the idea out of your mind you lack two things needed for speeding a web what are they asked Wilbur sadly you lack a set of spinnerets and you lack know-how but cheer up you don't need a web sucker Minh supplies you with three big meals a day why should you worry about trapping food Wilbur sighed you're ever so much clever and brighter than I am Charlotte I guess I was just trying to show off serves me right Templeton untied his string and took it back to his home Charlotte returned to her weaving you needn't feel too badly Wilbur not many creatures can spin webs even men aren't as good as spiders although they think they're pretty good and they'll try anything did you ever hear of the Queensboro Bridge Wilbur shook his head is it a web sort of replied Charlotte but do you know how long it took men to build it eight whole years my goodness I would have starved to death waiting that long I can make a web in a single evening what do people catch in the Queensboro Bridge bugs yes Wilbur no such Charlotte they don't catch anything they just keep trotting back and forth across the bridge thinking there is something better on the other side if they'd hang head down at the top of the thing and wait quietly maybe something good would come along but no with man it's rush rush rush every minute I'm glad I'm a sedentary spider what does sedentary mean asked Wilbur means I sit still a good part of the time and don't go wandering all over creation I know a good thing when I see it and my web is a good thing I stay put and wait for what comes gives me a chance to think well I'm sort of sedentary myself I guess said the pig I have to hang around here whether I want to or not you know where I'd really like to be this evening we're in a forest looking for beech nuts and truffles and delectable roots pushing leaves aside with my wonderful strong nose searching and sniffing along the ground smelling smelling smelling you smell just the way you are remarked a lamb who had just walked in I can smell you from here you're the smelliest creature in the place Wilbur on his head his eyes grew but with tears Charlotte noticed his embarrassment and she spoke sharply to the lamb let Wilbur alone she said he has a perfect right to smell considering his surroundings you're no bundle of sweet peas yourself furthermore you are interrupting a very pleasant conversation what were we talking about Wilbur when we were so rudely interrupted oh I don't remember said Wilbur it doesn't make any difference let's not talk anymore for a while Charlotte I'm getting sleepy you go ahead and finish fixing your web and I'll just lie here and watch you it's a lovely evening Wilbur stretched out on his side Twilight settled over Zuckerman's barn and a feeling of peace fern knew it was almost suppertime but she couldn't bear to leave swallows past on silent wings in and out of the doorways bringing food to their long walk young ones from across the road a bird saying whippoorwill whippoorwill lurvy sat down under an apple tree and lit his pipe the animals sniffed the familiar smell of strong tobacco Wilbur heard the trill of the tree toad and the occasional slamming of the kitchen door all these sounds made him feel comfortable and happy for he loved life and loved to be a part of the world on a summer evening but as he lay there he remembered what the old sheep had told him the thought of death came to him and he began to tremble with fear Charlotte he said softly yes Wilbur I don't want to die of course you don't said Charlotte in a comforting voice I just love it here in the barn said Wilbur I love everything about this place of course you do said Charlotte we all do the ghosts appeared followed by her seven Gosling's they thrust their little necks out and kept up a musical Whistler like a tiny troop of pipers Wilbur listen to the sound with love in his heart Charlotte he said yes said the spider were you serious when you promised you would keep them from killing me I was never more serious in my life I am NOT going to let you die Wilbur how are you going to save me cast Wilbur whose curiosity was very strong on this point well said Charlotte vaguely I don't really know but I'm working on a plan that's wonderful said Wilbur how is the plan coming Charlotte have you got very far with it is it coming along pretty well Wilbur was trembling again but Charlotte was cool and collected oh it's coming all right she said lightly the plan is still in its early stages and hasn't completely shaped up yet but I'm working on it when do you work on it begged Wilbur when I'm hanging head down at the top of my web that's when I do my thinking because then all the blood is in my head I'd be only too glad to help in any way I can oh I'll work it out alone said Charlotte I can think better if I think alone all right said Wilbur but don't fail to let me know if there's anything I can do to help no matter how slight well replied Charlotte you must try to build yourself up I want you to get plenty of sleep and stop worrying never hurry and never worry chew your food thoroughly and eat every bit of it except you must leave just enough for Templeton gain weight and stay well that's the way you can help keep fit and don't leave lose your nerve do you think you understand yes I under understand said Wilbur go along to bed then said Charlotte sleep is important Wilbur trotted over to the darkest corner of his pen and threw himself down he closed his eyes in another minute he spoke Charlotte he said yes Wilbur may I go too out to my trough to see if I left any of my supper I think I left just a I need bit of mashed potato very well said Charlotte but I want you in bed again without delay Wilbur started to race out to his yard slowlyslowly said Charlotte never hurry and never worry Wilbur checked himself and crept slowly to his trough he found a bit of potato she would it carefully swallowed it and walked back to bed he closed his eyes and was silent for a while Charlotte he said in a whisper yes may I get a drink of milk I think there are a few drops of milk left in my trough no the trough is dry and I want you to go to sleep no more talking close your eyes and go to sleep Wilbur shut his eyes fern got up from her stool and started for home her mind full of everything she had seen and heard good night Charlotte said Wilbur good night Wilbur there was a pause good night Charlotte good night Wilbur good night good night leave chapter 10 an explosion day after day the spider waited head down for an idea to come to her hour by hour she sat motionless deep in thought having promised Wilbur that she would save his life she was determined to keep her promise Charlotte was naturally patient she knew from experience that if she waited long enough a fly would come to her web and she felt sure that if she thought long enough about Wilbur's problem an idea would come to her mind finally one morning toward the middle of July the idea came why how perfectly simple she said to herself the way to save Wilbur's life is to play a trick on Zuckerman if I can fool a bug but Charlotte I can surely fool a man people are not as smartest bugs Wilbur walked into his yard just at that moment what are you thinking about Charlotte he asked I was just thinking so the spider that people are very gullible what does gullible mean easy to fool sent Charlotte that's on mercy replied Wilbur and he lay down in the shade of his fence and went fast asleep the spider however stayed wide awake gazing affectionately at him and making plans for his future summer was half gone she knew she didn't have much time that morning just as Wilbur fell asleep Avery arrabal wandered into the Zuckerman's front yard followed by fern Avery carried a live frog in his hand fern had a crown of daisies in her hair the children ran for the kitchen just in time for a piece of blueberry pie said mrs. Zuckerman look at my frog said Avery placing the Frog on the drain board and holding out his hand for pie take that thing out of here said mrs. Zuckerman he's hot said fern he's almost dead that frog he is not said Avery he lets me scratch him between the eyes the frog jumped and landed in mrs. Zuckerman dish pan full of soapy water you're getting your pie on you said fern can I look for eggs in the hen house and eat it right outdoors both of you and don't bother the hens it's getting all over everywhere shouted fern his pie is all over his front come on frog cried Avery he scooped up his frog the frog kicked splashing soapy water onto the blueberry pie another crisis groaned fern let's swing in the swing set Avery the children ran to the barn mr. Zuckerman had the best swing in the county it was a single long piece of heavy rope tied to the beam over the north doorway at the bottom end of the Rope was a fat knot to sit on it was arranged so that you could swing without being pushed you climbed a ladder to the hayloft then holding the Rope you stood at the edge and look down and we're scared and dizzy then you straddle the knot so that it acted as a sea then you got up all your nerve took a deep breath and jumped for a second you seem to be falling to the barn floor far below but then suddenly the Rope would begin to catch you and you would sail through the barn door going a mile a minute with the wind whistling in your eyes and ears and hair then you would zoom upward into the sky and look up at the clouds and the Rope would twist and you would twist and turn with the Rope then you would drop down down down out of the sky and come sailing back into the barn almost into the hayloft then sail out again not quite so far this time then in again not quite so high then out again then and again then out then in and then you jump off and fall down and let somebody else try it mothers for miles around worried about sucker moons swing they feared some child would fall off but no child ever did children almost always hang on to things tighter than their parents think they will avery put the frog in his pocket and climbed to the hayloft the last time I swang this swing I almost crashed into a barn swallow he yelled take the frog out ordered fern Avery straddled the rope and jumped he sailed out through the door frog and all and into the sky frog and all then he sailed back into the barn your tongue is purple screamed fern so is yours cried Avery sailing out again with the Frog I have hay inside my threats it itches called fern scratch it yelled Avery as he sailed back it's my turn said firm jump off ferns got the itch saying Avery when he jumped off he threw the swing up to his sister she shut her eyes tight and jumped she felt the dizzy drop then the supporting lift of the swing when she opened her eyes she was looking up into the blue sky and was about to fly back through the door they took turns for an hour when the children grew tired of swinging they went down toward the pasture and picked wild raspberries and ate them their tongues turn from purple to red fern bent into a raspberry that had a bad tasting bug inside it and got discouraged avery found an empty candy box and put his frog in it the frog seemed tired after his morning in the swing the children walked slowly up toward the barn they too were tired and hardly had energy enough to walk let's build a tree house suggested Avery I want to live in a tree with my frog I am going to visit Wilbur for an announced they climbed the fence into the lane and walked lazily toward the Pigpen Wilbur heard them coming and got up Avery noticed the spiderweb and coming closer he saw Charlotte Hey look at that big spider he said it's tremendous leave it alone commanded fern you've got a frog isn't that enough that's a fine spider and I'm going to capture it said Avery he took the cover off the candy box then he picked up a stick I'm going to knock that old spider into this box he said Wilbur's hurt almost stopped when he saw what was going on this might be the end of Charlotte if the boy succeeded in catching her you stop it Avery cried fern Avery put one leg over the fence of the Pigpen he was just about to raise his stick to hit Charlotte when he lost his balance he swayed and toppled and landed on the edge of Wilbur's trough the trough chipped up and then came down with us slap the goose egg was right underneath there was a dull explosion as the egg broke and then a horrible smell fern screamed avery jumped to his feet the air was filled with the terrible gases and smells from the rotten egg Templeton who had been resting in his home scuttled away into the barn good night screamed Avery good night what a stink let's get out of here fern was crying she held her nose and ran toward the house Avery ran after her holding his nose Charlotte felt greatly relieved to see him go it had been a narrow escape later on that morning the animals came up from the pasture the sheep the lamb the gander the goose and the seven Gosling's there were many complaints about the awful smell and Wilbur had to tell the story over and over again of how the arable boy had tried to capture Charlotte and how the smell of the broken egg drove him away just in time it was that rotten goose egg that saved Charlotte's life said Wilbur the goose was proud of her share in the adventure I'm delighted that the I'd never hatched she gobbled Templeton of course was miserable over the loss of his beloved a but he couldn't resist boasting it pays to save things he said in his surly voice a rat never knows when something is going to come in handy I never throw anything away well said one of the lambs this whole business is all well and good for Charlotte but what about the rest of us the smell is unbearable who wants to live in a barn that is perfumed with rotten egg don't worry you'll get used to it said Templeton he sat up and pulled wisely at his long whiskers then crept away to pay a visit to the dump when lurvy showed up at lunchtime carrying a pail of food for Wilbur he stopped short a few paces from the Pigpen he sniffed the air and made a face what in Thunder he said setting the pail down he picked up the stick that Avery had dropped and pried the trough up rats he said phew I might have known a rat would make a nest under this trough how I hate a rat and lurvy dragged Wilbur's trough across the yard and kick some dirt into the rat's nest burying the broken egg and all Templeton's others possessions then he picked up the pail Wilbur stood in the trough drooling with hunger Murphy poured the slaps ran creamy lead down around the pig's eyes and ears Wilbur grunted he gulped and sucked and sucked and gulped making swishing and swishing noises anxious to get everything at once it was a delicious meal skim milk wheat middlings leftover pancakes half a doughnut the rind of the summer squash two pieces of stale toast 1/3 of a ginger staff a fish tail one orange peel several noodles from a noodle soup the scum off a cup of cocoa an ancient jelly roll a strip of paper from the lining of the garbage pail and a spoonful of raspberry jello Wilber ate heartily he planned to leave half a noodle and a few drops of milk for Templeton then he remembered that the rat had been useful in saving Charlotte's life and that Charlotte was trying to save his life so he left a hole noodle instead of a half now that the broken egg was buried the air cleared and the barn smelled good again the afternoon past and evening came shadows lengthened the cool and kindly breath of evening entered through doors and windows astride her web Charlotte sat moodily eating a horsefly and thinking about the future after a while she bestirred herself she descended to the center of the web and there she began to cut some of her lines she worked slowly but steadily while the other creatures drowsed none of the others not even the goose noticed that she was at work deep in his soft bed Wilbur snoozed over in their favorite corner the Gosling's whistled a night song charlotte tore quite a section out of her web leaving an open space in the middle then she started weaving something to take the place of the threads she had removed when Templeton got back from the dump around midnight the spider was still at work chapter 11 the miracle the next day was foggy everything on the farm was dripping wet the grass looked like a magic carpet the asparagus patch looked like a silver forest I'm foggy mornings Charlotte's Web was truly a thing of beauty this morning each thin strand was decorated with dozens of tiny beads of water the web glistened in the light and made a pattern of loveliness and mystery like a delicate fail even lurvy who wasn't particularly interested in beauty notice the web when he came with the pigs breakfast he noted how clearly it showed up and he noted how big and carefully built it was and then he took another look and he saw something that made him set his pail down there in the center of the web neatly woven in black letters was a message it said some Pig Murphy felt weak he brushed his hand over his eyes and stared harder at Charlotte's Web I'm seeing things he whispered he dropped to his knees and uttered a short prayer then forgetting all about Wilbur's breakfast he walked back to the house and called mr. Zuckerman I think you'd better come down to the Pigpen he said what's the trouble asked mr. Zuckerman anything wrong with the pig none not exactly said lurvy come and see for yourself the two men walked silently down to Wilbur's yard Murphy pointed to the spider's web do you see what I see he asked some Herman stared at the writing on the web then he murmured the words some Pig then he looked at lurvy then they both began to tremble Charlotte sleepy after her night's exertions smiled as she watched Wilbur Camus stood directly under the web some Pig muttered lurvy in a low voice some Pig whispered mr. Zuckerman they stared and stared for a long time at Wilbur then they stared at Charlotte you don't suppose that that biter began mr. Zuckerman but he shook his head and did finish the sentence instead he walks solemnly back to the house and spoke to his wife Edith something has happened he said in a weak voice he went into the living room and sat down and mrs. Zuckerman followed I've got something to tell you Edith he said you better sit down mrs. Zuckerman sank into a chair she looked pale and frightened Edith he said trying to keep his voice steady I think you had best be told that we have a very unusual Pig a look of complete bewilderment came over mrs. Zuckerman space Homer Zuckerman when the world are you talking about she said this is a very serious thing Edith he replied our pig is completely out of the ordinary what's unusual about the pig ask mrs. Zuckerman who was beginning to recover from her scare well I don't really know yet said mr. Zuckerman but we have received a sign Edith's a mysterious sign a miracle has happened on this farm there is a large spider's web in the doorway of the barns cellar right over the Pigpen and when lurvy went to the feed the pig this morning he noticed the web because it was foggy and you know how a spider's web looks very distinct in a fog and writes Spang in the middle of the web there were the words some Pig the words were woven right into the web they were actually part of the web Edith I know because I have been down there and seen them it says some Pig just as clear as clear can be there can be no mistake about it a miracle has happened and a sign has occurred here on earth right on our farm and we have no ordinary Pig well said mrs. Zuckerman seems to me you're a little off it seems to me we have no ordinary spider oh no said mr. Zuckerman it's the pig that's unusual it says so right there in the middle of the web maybe so said mrs. Zuckerman just the same I intend to have a look at that spider it's just a common grey spider since up Herman they got up and together they walked down to Wilbur's yard see Edith it's just a common gray Spyder lover was pleased to receive so much attention lurvy was still standing there and mr. mrs. Zuckerman all three stood for about an hour reading the words on the web over and over and watching Wilbur Charlotte was delighted with the way her trick was working she sat without moving a muscle and listened to the conversation of the people when a small fly blundered into the web just beyond the word Pig Charlotte dropped quickly down rolled the fly up and carried it out of the way after a while the fog lifted the web dried off and the words didn't show up quite so plainly does not men's and lurvy walk back to the house just before they left the pig pen mr. Zuckerman took one last look at Wilbur you know he said in an important voice I thought all along that that pig of ours was an extra good one he's a solid Pig that pig is a solid as they come you notice how solid he is around the shoulders lurvy sure sure I do said lurvy I always noticed that pig he's quite a pig he's long and he's smooth said Zuckerman that's right agreed lurvy he's as smooth as they come he's some Pig when mr. Zuckerman got back to the house he took off his work clothes and put on his best suit then he got into his car drove to the minister's house he stayed for an hour and explained to the minister that a miracle had happened on the farm so far said Zuckerman only four people on earth know about this miracle myself my wife Edith my hired man lurvy and you don't tell anybody else said the minister we don't know what it means yet but perhaps if I give thought to it I can explain it in my sermon next Sunday there can be no doubt that you have a most unusual Pig I intend to speak about it in my sermon and point out the fact that this community has been visited with a wondrous animal by the way does the pig have a name y-yes said mr. Zuckerman my little niece calls in Wilbur she's a rather career child full of notions she raised the pig on a bottle and I bought him from her when he was a month old he shook hands with the minister and left secrets are hard to keep long before sunday came the news spread all over the County everybody knew that a sign had appeared in a spider's web on the Zuckerman's plates everybody knew that the Zuckerman's had a wonderous pig people came from miles around to look at Wilbur and to read the words on Charlotte's Web the Zuckerman's driveway was full of cars and trucks from morning till night Fords and Chevys and Buick Roadmaster 's and GMC pickups and Plymouth and Studebakers and Packers and de Soto's with gyro Matic transmissions and Oldsmobiles with rocket engines and Jeep station wagons and Pontiacs the news of the wonderful pigs spread clear up into the hills and farmers came rattling down in buggies and buckboards to stand hour after hour at Wilbur's pen admiring the miraculous animal all said they had never seen such a pig before in their lives when fern told her mother that Avery had tried to hit the Zuckerman spider with a stick mrs. arable was so shocked that she sent Avery to bed without any supper as punishment and the days that followed mr. Zuckerman was so busy entertaining visitors that he neglected his farm work he wore his good clothes all the time now got right into them when he got up in the morning mrs. Zuckerman prepared special meals for Wilbur Murphy shaved and got a haircut and his principal farm duty was to feed the pig while people looked at mr. Zuckerman ordered lurvy to increase Wilbur's feedings from three meals a day before meal today the Zuckerman's were so busy with visitors they forgot about other things on the farm the blackberries got ripe and mrs. Zuckerman failed to put up any blackberry jam the corn needed hoeing and lurvy didn't sign time the house on Sunday the church was full the minister explained the miracle he said that the words on the spider's web proved that human beings must always be on the watch for the coming of wonders all in all the sacraments Pigpen was the center of attraction fern was happy for she felt that Charlotte's trick was working and that Wilbur's life would be saved but she found that the barn was not nearly as pleasant to many people she liked it better when she could be all alone with her friends the animals chapter 12 a meeting one evening a few days after the writing had appeared in Charlotte's Web the spider called a meeting of all the animals in the barn cellar I shall begin by calling the roll Wilbur here said the pig gander here we arere said the gander you sound like three ganders muttered Charlotte why can't you just say here why do you have to repeat everything it's my IDEO IDEO idiosyncrasy replied the gander goose said Charlotte here here here said the goose Charlotte glared at her Gosling's 1 through 7 BBB BBB BBB BBB BBB BBB BBB said the Gosling's this is getting to be quite a meeting said Charlotte anybody would think we had three handers three geese and twenty-one Gosling's sheep he all answered the sheep all together Lambs he all answered the Lambs all together Templeton no answer Templeton no answer well we are all here except the rat said Charlotte I guess we can proceed without him now all of you must have noticed what's been going on around here the last few days the message I wrote in my web praising Wilbur has been received the Zuckerman's have fallen for it and so has everybody else Zukerman thinks Wilbur is an unusual Pig and therefore he won't want to kill him and eat him I dare say my trick will work and Wilbur's life can be saved hooray cried everybody thank you very much said Charlotte now I called this meeting in order to get suggestions I need new ideas for the web people are already getting sick of reading the words some Pig if anybody can think of another message or remark I'll be glad to weave it into the web any suggestions for a new slogan how about pigs supreme asked one of the lambs no good said Charlotte it sounds like a rich dessert how about terrific terrific terrific ask the goose cut that down to one terrific and it will do very nicely said Charlotte I think terrific might impress sucker Minh but Charlotte said Wilbur I'm not terrific that doesn't make a particle of difference replied Charlotte not a particle people believe almost anything they see in print does anybody here know how to spell terrific I think so together it's T double e e double RR double RR double I double FF double I double si si si si si what kind of Acrobat do you think I am said Charlotte and discussed I would have to have st. vitus's dance to weave a word like that into my web sorry sorry sorry said the gander then the oldest sheep spoke up I agree that there should be something new written in the web if Wilbur's life is to be saved and if Charlotte needs help in finding words I think she can get it from our friend Templeton the rat visits the dump regularly and has access to old magazines he can tear out bits of advertisements and bring them up here to the barn cellar so that Charlotte can have something to copy good idea said Charlotte but I'm not sure Templeton will be willing to help you know how he is always looking out for himself never thinking of the other fellow I bet I can get him to help said the old sheep I'll appeal to his baser instincts of which he has plenty here he comes now everybody keep quiet while I put the matter up to him the rat entered the bar the way he always did creeping along close to the wall what's up yes seeing the animals assembles we're holding a director's meeting replied the old sheep well break it off said Templeton meeting for me and the rat began to climb a rope that hung against the wall look said the old sheep next time you go to the dump Templeton bring back a clipping from a magazine Charlotte needs new ideas so she can write messages in her web and save Wilbur's life let him die said the rat I should worry you'll worry all right when next winter comes said the sheep you'll worry all right on a0 more next January when Wilbur is dead and nobody comes down here with a nice pail of warmth slaps to pour into the trough Wilbur's leftover food is your chief source of supply Templeton you know that Wilbur's food is your food therefore Wilbur's destiny and your destiny are closely linked if Wilbur is killed in his trough stands empty day after day you'll grow so thin we can look right through your stomach and see objects on the other side Templeton's whiskers quivered maybe you're right he said gruffly I'm making a trip to the dump tomorrow afternoon I'll bring back a magazine clipping if I find one thanks said Charlotte the meeting is now adjourned I have a busy evening ahead of me I've got to tear my web apart and write terrific Wilbur blushed but I'm not terrific Charlotte I'm just about average for a pig you're terrific as far as I'm concerned replied Charlotte sweetly and that's what counts you're my best friend and I think you're sensational now stop arguing and go get some sleep chapter 13 good progress far into the night while the other creatures slept Charlotte worked at her web first she ripped out a few of the aura blinds near the center she left the radical lines alone as they were needed for support as she worked her eight legs were a great help to her so were her teeth she loved to weave and she was an expert at it when she was finished ripping things out her web looks something like this a spider can produce several kinds of thread she uses a dry tough thread for foundation lines and she uses a sticky thread for snare lines the ones that catch and hold insects Charlotte decided to use her dry thread for writing the new message if I write the word terrific with sticky threads she thought every bug that comes along will get stuck in it and spoil the effect now let's see the first letter is T Charlotte climbed to a point at the top of the left hand side of the web swinging her spinnerets into position she attached her thread and then dropped down as she dropped her spinning tubes went into action and she let out thread at the bottom she attached the thread this formed the upright part of the letter T Charlotte was not satisfied however she climbed up and made another attachment right next to the first then she carried the line down so that she had a double line instead of a single line it will show up better if I make the whole thing with double line she climbed back up moved over about an inch to the left touched her spinnerets to the web and then carried a line across to the right forming the top of the T she repeated this making it double her eight legs were very busy helping now for the e Charlotte got so interested in her work she began to talk to herself as though to cheer herself on if you had been sitting quietly in the barn cellar that evening you would have heard something like this now for the are up we go attach descend pay out line whoa attach good up you go repeat attach descend pay out line whoa girl steady now attach I'm attached over to the right payout line attached now right and down and swing that loop and around and around now into the left attach climb repeat okay easy keep those lines together now then out and down for the leg of the our payout line whoa attach ascend repeat good girl and so talking to herself the spider worked at her difficult task when it was completed she felt hungry she ate a small bug that she had been saving then she slept next morning Wilbur arose and stood beneath the web he breathed the morning air into his lungs drops of dew catching the Sun made the web stand a scary when lurvy arrived with breakfast there was the handsome Pig and over him woven neatly in black letters was the word terrific another miracle Murphy rushed and called mr. Zuckerman mr. Zuckerman rushed and called mrs. Zuckerman mrs. Zuckerman ran to the phone and called the era bells the air bells climbed into their truck and hurried over everybody stood at the Pigpen and stared at the web and read the word over and over while Wilbur who really felt terrific stood quietly swelling out his chest and swinging his mouth from side to side terrific breathe it's luck Herman in joyful aberration Edith you better phone the reporter on the weekly Chronicle and tell him what has happened he will want to know about this he may want to bring a photographer there wasn't a pig in the whole state that is as terrific as our Pig the news spread people who a journey to see Wilbur when it he was some Pig came back again to see him now that he was correct that afternoon when mr. Zuckerman went to milk the cows and clean out the tie-ups he was still thinking about what a wondrous piggy owned lurvy he called there is to be no more cow manure throw down into that Pigpen I have a terrific Pig I want that pig to have clean bright straw every day for his bedding understand yes sir said lurvy furthermore said mr. Zuckerman I want you to start building a crate for Wilbur I've decided to take the pig to the County Fair on September make the crate large and paint it green with gold letters what will the letters say as lurvy they should say Zuckerman's famous pig Murphy picked up a pitchfork and walked away to get some clean straw having such an important Pig was going to mean plenty of extra work he could see that below the apple orchard at the end of a path was the dump where mr. Zuckerman through all sorts of trash and stuff that nobody wanted anymore here in a small clearing hidden by young alders and wild raspberry bushes was an astonishing pile of old bottles and empty tin cans and dirty rags and bits of metal in broken bottles and broken hinges and broken springs and dead batteries and last month's magazines and old discarded dish mops and tattered overalls and rusty spikes and leaky fails and forgotten stoppers and useless junk of all kinds including a wrong size crank for a broken ice cream freezer Templeton knew the dump and liked it there were good hiding places there excellent cover for a rat and there was usually a tin can with food still clinging to the inside Templeton was down there now rummaging around when he returned to the barn he carried in his mouth and advertisement he had torn from a crumpled magazine how's this he asked showing the ad to Charlotte it says crunchy crunchy would be a good word to write in your web just the wrong idea replied Charlotte couldn't be worse we don't want sucker men to think Wilbur is crunchy he might start thinking about crisp crunchy bacon and tasty ham that would put ideas into his head we must advertise Wilbur's noble qualities not his taste eNOS go get another word please Templeton the rat looked disgusted but he sneaked away to the dump and was back in awhile with a strip of cotton cloth how's this he said it's a label off an old shirt Charlotte examined the label it said preshrunk I'm sorry Templeton she said but preshrunk is out of the question we want succor men to think Wilbur is nicely filled out not all shrunk up I'll have to ask you to try again what do you think I am a messenger boy grumbled the bread I'm not going to spend all my time chasing down to the dump after advertising material just once more please send Charlotte I'll tell you what I'll do said Templeton I know where there's a package of soap flakes in the woodshed it is writing on it I'll bring you a piece of the package he climbed the rope that hung on the wall and disappeared through a hole in the ceiling when he came back he had a strip of blue and white cardboard in his teeth there he said triumphantly how's that Charlotte read the words with new radiant action what does it mean as Charlotte who had never used any soap flakes in her life how should I know said Templeton yes four words and I brought them I suppose the next thing you want me to fetch is a dictionary together they studied the Soviet with new radiant action repeated Charlotte slowly Wilbur she called Wilbur who was asleep in the straw jumped up run around commanded Charlotte I want to see you in action to see if you are radiant Wilbur race to the end of his yard now back again faster said Charlotte Wilbur galloped back his skin shone his tail had a fine type to curl in it jump into the air cried Charlotte Wilbur jumped as high as he could keep her knees straight and touch the ground with your ears called Charlotte Wilbur obeyed do a back flip with a half twist in it cried Charlotte Wilbur went over backwards writhing and twisting as he went ok Wilbur said Charlotte you can go back to sleep ok Templeton the salt bad will do I guess I'm not sure Wilbur's action is exactly radiant but it's interesting actually said Wilbur I feel radiant do you said Charlotte looking at him with affection well you're a good little pig and radiant you shall be I'm in this thing pretty deep now I might as well go to the limit tired from his rump Wilbur lay down in the clean straw he closed his eyes the straw seemed scratchy that as comfortable as the cow manure which was always delightfully soft to lie in so he pushed the straw to one side and stretched out in the manure Wilbur sighed it had been a busy day his first day of being terrific dozens of people had visited his yard during the afternoon and he had had to stand in poles looking as terrific as he could now he was tired fern had arrived and seated herself quietly on her stool in the corner tell me a story Charlotte said Wilbur as he lay waiting for sleep to come tell me a story so Charlotte although she too was tired did what Wilburn wanted once upon a time she began I had a beautiful cousin who managed to build her web across a small stream one day a tiny fish leaped into the air and got tangled in the web my cousin was very much surprised of course the fish was thrashing wildly my cousin hardly dared tackle it but she did she swooped down and threw great masses of wrapping material around the fish and fought bravely to capture it did she succeed asked Wilbur it wasn't never to be forgotten battles that Charlotte there was the fish caught only by one fin and its tail wildly thrashing and shining in the Sun there was the web thanking dangerously under the weight of the fish how much did the fishway guessed Wilbur eagerly I don't know that Charlotte there was my cousin slipping in dodging out beaten mercilessly over the head by the wildly thrashing fish dancing in dancing out throwing her threads and fighting hard first she threw a left around the tail the fish lashed back then a left to the tail and a right to the midsection the fish lashed back then she dodged to one side and threw a right and another right to the fin then a hard left to the head while the web's swayed and stretched then what happened at Wilbur nothing said Charlotte the fish lost the fight my cousin wrapped it up so tight it couldn't budge then what happened asked Wilbur nothing said Charlotte my cousin kept the fish for a while and then when she got good and ready she ate it tell me another story begged Wilbur so Charlotte told him by other customers who was an aeronaut what is an aeronaut a swell girl a balloonist said Charlotte and used to stand on her head and let out enough thread to form a balloon then she'd let go and be lifted into the air and carried upward on the warm wind is that true s Wilbur are you just making it up it's true replied Charlotte I have some very remarkable cousins and now Wilbur it's time you went to sleep seeing something begged Wilbur closing his eyes so Charlotte sang a lullaby while crickets chirp Tin the grass and the barn grew dark this was the song she sang sleep sleep my love my only deep deep in the dung and the dark be not afraid and be not lonely this is the hour when frogs and thrushes praise the world from the woods and the rushes rest from care my one and only deep in the dung in the dark but Wilbur was already asleep when the song ended fern got up and went home chapter 14 dr. Dorian the next day was Saturday fern stood at the kitchen sink trying the breakfast dishes as her mother washed them mrs. arable works silently she hoped fern would go out and play with other children instead of heading for the Zuckerman's barn to sit and watch animals Charlotte is the best storyteller I ever heard said fern poking her dish towel into a cereal bowl fern said her mother sternly you must not invent things you know spiders don't tell stories spiders can't talk Charlotte can replied fern she doesn't talk very loud she talks what kind of story did she tell yes mrs Arabelle well began fern she told us about a cousin of hers who caught a fish in her web don't you think that's fascinating fern dear how would a fish get in a spider's web said mrs. arable you know it couldn't happen you're making this up oh it happened all right replied fern Charlotte never fence this cousin of hers built a web across a stream one day she was hanging around on the web and a tiny fish leaped into the air and got tangled in the web the fish was caught by one fin mother its tail was wildly thrashing and shining in the Sun can't you just see the web sagging dangerously under the weight of the fish Charlotte's cousin kept slipping in dodging out and she was beaten mercilessly over the head by the wildly thrashing fish dancing in dancing out throwing fern snapped her mother stop it stop inventing these wild tales I'm not inventing said fern I'm just telling you the facts what finally happened asked her mother whose curiosity began to get the better of her Charlotte's cousin won she wrapped the fish up then she ate him when she got good and ready spiders have to eat the same as the rest of us yes I suppose they do said mrs. arable vaguely Charlotte has another cousin who is a balloonist she stands on her head lets out a lot of line and is carried aloft on the wind mother wouldn't you simply love to do that yes I would come to think of it replied mrs. arable but for her and darling I wish you'd play outdoors today instead of going to uncle homers barn find some of your playmates and do something nice outdoors you're spending too much time in that barn it isn't good for you to be alone so much alone said fern alone my best friends are in the barn cellar it's a very sociable place not at all lonely fern disappeared after a while walking down the road towards upper-mids her mother dusted the sitting room as she worked she kept thinking about fern it didn't seem natural for a little girl to be so interested in animals finally mrs. arable made up her mind she would pay a call on old dr. Dorian and ask his advice she got in the car and drove to his office in the village dr. Dorian had a thick beard he was glad to see mrs. arable and gave her a comfortable chair it's about fern she explained fern spends entirely too much time in the sucker man's barn it doesn't seem normal she sits on a milk stool in the corner of the barn cellar near the Pigpen and watches animals hour after hour she just sits and listens dr. Dorian leaned back and closed his eyes how enchanting he said it must be real nice and quiet down there Homer has some sheep hasn't he yes said mrs. arable but it all started with that pig we let fern raise on a bottle she calls him Wilbur Homer bought the pig and ever since it left our place fern has been going to her uncle's to be near it I've been hearing things about that pig said dr. Dorian opening his eyes they say he's quite a pig have you heard about the words that appeared in the spider's web asked mrs. arable nervously yes replied the doctor well do you understand it yes mrs. arable understand what do you understand how there could be any writing in a spider's web all know said dr. Dorian I don't understand it but for that matter I don't understand how a spider learned to spin a web in the first place when the words appeared everybody said they were a miracle but nobody pointed out that the web itself is a miracle what's miraculous about a spider's web said mrs. arable I don't see why you say a web is a miracle it's just a web ever try to spin one ask dr. Dorian mrs. arable shifted uneasily in her chair no she replied but I can crochet a doily and I can knit a sock sure said the doctor but somebody taught you didn't they my mother taught me well who taught a spider a young spider knows how to spin a web without any instructions from anybody don't you regard that as the miracle I suppose so said mrs. arable I never looked at it that way before so I don't understand how those words got into the web I don't understand it and I don't like that I can't understand none of us do said dr. Dorian sighing I'm a doctor doctors are supposed to understand everything but I don't understand everything and I don't intend to let it worry me mrs. arable fidgeted fern says that the animal was talked to each other dr. Dorian do you believe animals talk I never heard one say anything he replied but that proves nothing it is quite possible that an animal has spoken civilly to me and that I didn't catch the remark because I wasn't paying attention children pay better attention than grown-ups if fern says that the animals and Zuckerman's barn talk I'm quite ready to believe her perhaps if people talked less animals would talk more people are incessant talkers I can give you my word on that well I I feel better about fern said mrs. arable you don't think I need worry about her does she look well asked the doctor oh yes appetite good oh yeah she's always hungry sleep well at night oh yes then don't worry so doctor do you think she'll ever start thinking about something besides pigs and sheep and geese and spiders how old is fern she's eight well said dr. Dorian I think she will always love animals but I doubt that she spends her entire life in Homer Zuckerman spa our seller how about boys does she know any boys she knows Henry fussy said mrs. arable brightly dr. Dorian closed his eyes again and went into deep thought Henry fussy he mumbled hmm remarkable well I don't think you have anything to worry about let fern associate with her friends in the bar and if she wants to I would say offhand the spiders and pigs were fully as interesting as Henry fussy yet I predict that the day will come when even Henry will drop some chance remark that catches ferns attention it's amazing how children change from year to year how's Avery he said opening his eyes wide Oh Avery chuckled mrs. arable Avery is always fine of course he gets into poison ivy and gets stung by wasps and bees and brings frogs and snakes home and breaks everything he lays his hands on he's fine good said the doctor mrs. arable said goodbye and thank dr. Dorian very much for his advice she felt greatly relieved chapter 15 the crickets the crickets staying in the grasses they sang the song of summers ending a sad monotonous song summer is over and gone they sang over and gone over and gone summer is dying dying the crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summer time cannot last forever even on the most beautiful days in the whole year the days when summer is changing into fall the crickets spend the rumor of sadness and change everybody heard the song of the crickets avery and fern Arabelle heard it as they walked the dusty road they knew that school would soon begin again the young geese heard it and knew they would never be little Gosling's again Charlotte heard it and knew that she had much time left mrs. Zuckerman at work in the kitchen heard the crickets and a sadness came over her to another summer gone she sighed lurvy at work building a crate for Wilbur heard the song and knew it was time to dig potatoes summer is over and gone repeated the crickets how many nights till frost sang the crickets goodbye summer goodbye goodbye the sheep heard the crickets and they felt so uneasy they broke a hole in the pasture fest and wandered up into the field across the road the gander discovered the hole and led his family through and they walked to the orchard and ate the apples that were lying on the ground a little maple tree in the swamp heard the crickets song and turned bright red with anxiety Wilbur was now the center of attraction on the farm good food and regular hours were showing results Wilbur was a pig any man would be proud of one day more than a hundred people came to stand at his yard and admire him Charlotte had written the word radiant and Wilberg really looked radiant as he stood in the golden sunlight ever since a spider had befriended him he had done his best to live up to his reputation when Charlotte's Web said Tom Pig Wilbur had tried hard to look like some Pig when Charlotte's Web said terrific Wilbur had tried to look terrific and now that the web said radiant he did everything possible to make himself glow it is that easy to look radiant but Wilbur threw himself into it with a will he would turn his head slightly and blink his long eyelashes then he would breathe deeply and when his audience grew bored he was spring to the air to a back flip with a half twist at this the crowd would yell and Cheer how's that for a pig mr. Zuckerman would ask well pleased with himself that pig is radiant summable burrs friends in the barn worried for fear all this attention would go to his head and make him stuck-up but it never did Wilbur was modest Fame did not spoil him he still worried some about the future as he could hardly believe that a mere spider would be able to save his life sometimes at night he would have a bad dream he would dream that men were coming to get him with knives and guns but that was only a dream in the daytime Wilbur usually felt happy and confident no pig ever had truer friends and he realized that friendship is one of the most satisfying things in the world even the song of the crickets did not make Wilbur too sad he knew it was almost time for the county fair and he was looking forward to the trip if he could distinguish himself at the fair and maybe win some prize money he was sure as of Herman would let him live Charlotte had worries of her own but she kept quiet about them one morning Wilbur asked her about the fair you're going with me aren't you Charlotte he said well I don't know applied Charlotte the fair comes at a bad time for me I shall find it inconvenient to leave home even for a few days why s Wilbur oh I just don't feel like leaving my web too much going on around here please come with me begged Wilbur I need you Charlotte I can't stand going to the fair without you you've just got to come no said Charlotte I believe I'd better stay home and see if I can't get some work done what kind of work gasps rubber egg leg it's time I made an egg sac and filled it with a I didn't know you could lay eggs Wilbur in amazement oh sure said Spyder I'm versatile what does versatile mean full of eggs at Wilbur certainly not said Charlotte versatile means I can turn with ease from one thing to another it means I don't have to limit my activities to spinning and trapping stuff like that why don't you come with me to the fairgrounds and lay your eggs there pleaded Wilbur it would be wonderful fun Charlotte gave her Webb a twitch and moodily watched it's way I'm afraid not she said you don't know the first thing about egg-laying Wilbur I can't arrange my family duties to suit the management of the County Fair when I get ready to lay eggs I have to lay eggs fair or no fair however I don't want you to worry about it you might lose weight we'll leave it this way I'll come to the fair if I possibly can oh goods and Wilbur I knew you wouldn't forsake me just when I need you most all that day Wilbur stayed inside taking life easy in the straw Charlotte rested and ate a grasshopper she knew that she couldn't help Wilbur much longer in a few days she would have to drop everything and build the beautiful little sack that would hold her eggs chapter 16 off to the fair the night before the County Fair everybody went to bed early fern and Avery were in bed by 8:00 Avery lay dreaming that the ferris wheel had stopped and that he was in the top car fern lay dreaming that she was getting sick in the swings lurvy was in bed by 8:30 he lay dreaming that he was throwing baseballs at a cloth cat and winning a genuine Navajo blanket mr. and mrs. Zuckerman were in bed by 9:00 mrs. Zuckerman lay dreaming about a deep freeze unit mr. Zuckerman lay dreaming about Wilbur he dreamt that Wilbur had grown until he was 116 feet long and 92 feet high and that he had won all the prizes at the fair and was covered with blue ribbons and even had a blue ribbon tied to the end of his tail down in the barn cellar the animals too went to sleep early all except Charlotte tomorrow would be fair day every creature planned to get up early to see Wilbur off on his great adventure when morning came everybody got up at daylight the day was hot up the road at the arable house a fern lugged a pail of hot water to her room and took a sponge bath then she put on her prettiest dress because she knew she would see boys at the fair mrs. arable scrubbed the back of Avery's neck and wet his hair and parted it and brushed it down Howard till it's stuck to the top of his head all but about six hairs that stood straight up Avery put on clean underwear clean blue jeans and a clean shirt mr. arable dressed ate breakfast and then went out and polished his truck he had offered to drive everybody to the fair including Wilbur bright and early larvae put clean straw in Wilbur's crate and lifted it into the Pigpen the crate was Green in gold letters it said sucker means famous pigs Charlotte had her web looking fine for the occasion Wilbur ate his breakfast slowly he tried to look radiant without getting food in his ears in the kitchen mrs. Zuckerman suddenly made an announcement Homer she said to her husband I am going to give that pig a buttermilk back all what said mr. Zuckerman a buttermilk bath my grandmother used to bathe her pig buttermilk when it got dirty I just remembered wool verse that dirty said mr. Zuckerman proudly he's filthy behind the years said mrs. Zuckerman every time lurvy slaps him the food runs down around the ears then it drives and forms a crust he also has a smudge on one side where he lays in the manure he lays in clean straw corrected mr. Zuckerman well he's dirty and he's going to have a bath mr. Zuckerman sat down weakly and ate a doughnut his wife went to the woodshed when she returned she wore rubber boots and an old raincoat and she carried a bucket of buttermilk and a small wooden paddle Edith you're crazy mumbled Zuckerman but she paid no attention to him together they walked to the Pigpen mrs. Zuckerman wasted no time she climbed him with Wilbur and went to work dipping her paddle in the buttermilk she rubbed him all over the geese gathered around to see the fun and so did the sheep and lambs even Templeton poked his head about cautiously to watch Wilbur get a buttermilk bath Charlotte got so interested she lowered herself on a dragline so she could see better Wilbur stood still and closed his eyes he could feel the buttermilk trickling down his side's he opened his mouth and some buttermilk ran in it was delicious he felt radiant and happy when mrs. duck ermine got through and rubbed him dry he was the cleanest prettiest Pig you ever saw he was pure white pink around the ears and snout and smooth as silk the decrements went up to change into their best clothes Murphy went to shave and put on his plaid shirt and his purple necktie the animals were left to themselves in the barn the seven Gosling's paraded round and round their mother please please please take us to the fair beg de Gosling then all seven began teasing to go please please please please please please they made quite a racket children snap the goose we're staying quietly i Utley aye Utley at home only Wilbur Wilbur elver is going to the fair just then Charlotte interrupted I shall go to she said softly I have decided to go with Wilbur he may need me we can't tell what may happen at the fairgrounds somebody's got to go along who knows how to write and I think templeton better come too I might need somebody to run errands and do general work I'm staying right here grumbled Iraq I haven't the slightest interest in fairs that's because you've never been to one remarked the old sheep affair is a rat's paradise everybody spills food and affair a rat can creep out late at night and have a feast in the horse barn you will find oats that the Trotters and Pacers have spilled in the trampled grass of the infield you will find old discarded lunch boxes containing the foul remains of peanut butter sandwiches hard-boiled eggs cracker crumbs bits of doughnuts and particles of cheese in the hardpack dirt of the Midway after the glaring lights are out and the people have gone home to bed you will find a veritable treasure of popcorn fragments frozen custard dribblings candied apples abandoned by tired children sugar fluff crystals salted almonds popsicles partially gnawed ice cream cones and the wooden sticks of lollipops everywhere is loot for a rant in tents in booths in hay lofts why a fair has enough discussing leftover food to satisfy a whole army of rats Templeton's eyes were blazing is this true yes is this appetizing yarn of yours true I like high living and what you say tempts me it is true said the old sheep go to the fair Templeton you will find that the conditions that affair will surpass your wildest dreams buckets with sour mash sticking to them tin cans containing particles of tuna fish greasy paper bags stuffed with rotten that's enough cried Templeton don't tell me any more I'm going good said Charlotte winking at the old sheep now then there is no time to be lost Wilbur will soon be put into the crate Templeton and I must get in the crate right now and hide ourselves the raft didn't waste a minute he scampered over to the crate crawled between the slats and pulled straw over him so he was hidden from sight all right said Charlotte I'm next she sailed into the air let out a dragline and drop gently to the ground then she climbed the side of the crate and hid herself inside a Knothole in the top board the old sheep nodded what a cargo she said that sign oddest say succor man's famous pig and two stowaways look out the people are coming on incoming shouted the gander cheese a cheese a cheese it the big truck with mr. arable at the wheel backed slowly down toward the barnyard Murphy and mr. Zuckerman walked alongside fern and Avery were standing in the body of the truck hanging on to the side boards listen to me whispered the old sheep to Wilbur when they opened the crate try to put you in struggle don't go in without a tussle pigs always resist when they are being loaded if I struggle I'll get dirty said Wilbur never mind that do as I say struggle if you were to walk into the crate without resisting succor men might think you were bewitched he'd be scared to go to the fair Templeton poked his head up through the straw struggle if you must she said but kindly remember that I'm hiding down here in the crate and I don't want to be stepped on or kicked in the face or pummeled or crushed in any way or squashed or buffeted about or bruised or lacerated or scarred or biffed just watch what you're doing what do you think you are I'm a pig cried Avery tossing handfuls of straw into the air oink oink oink the truck is rolling away Papa said burn the truck with no one at the wheel had started to roll downhill mr. arable dashed to the driver's seat and pulled on the emergency brake the truck stopped the geese cheered Charlotte crouched and made herself as small as possible in the knothole so Avery couldn't see her come out at once cried mrs. arable Avery crawled out of the crate on hands and knees making faces at Wilbur Wilbur fainted away the pig is passed out said mrs. Zuckerman throw water on him throw buttermilk suggested Avery the geese cheered lurvy ran for a pail of water fern climbed into the pen and knelt by Wilbur's side it's sunstroke said Zuckerman the heat is too much for him maybe he's dead said Avery come out of that Pigpen immediately cried mrs. arable Avery obeyed his mother and climbed into the back of the truck so he could see better lurvy returned with cold water and dashed it on Wilbur throw them on me cried Avery I'm hot too Oh keep quiet hollered fern keep quiet her eyes were brimming with tears Wilbur feeling the cold water came to he rose slowly to his feet while the geese cheered he's up said mr. arable I guess there's nothing wrong with him I'm hungry said Avery I want a candied apple Wilbur's all right now said fern we can start I want to take a ride in the ferris wheel mr. Zuckerman and mr. arable and lurvy grabbed the pig and pushed him headfirst toward the crate Wilbur began to struggle the heart of the men pushed the harder he held back Avery jumped down and joined the men Wilbur kicked and thrashed and grunted nothing wrong with this pig said mr. Zuckerman cheerfully pressing his knee against Wilbur's behind all together now boys shove with a final heave they jammed him into the crate the geese cheered Murphy nailed some boards across the ends though Wilbur couldn't back out then using all their strength the men picked up the crate and heaved it aboard the truck they did not know that under the straw was a rat and inside a Knothole was a big grey spider they saw only a pig everybody in called mr. arable he started the motor the ladies climbed in beside him mr. Zuckerman and lurvy and Fernan Avery rode in the back hanging onto the side boards the truck began to move ahead the geese cheered the children answered their cheer and away everyone went to the fair chapter 17 uncle when they pulled into the fairgrounds they could hear music and see the ferris wheel turning in the sky they could smell the dust of the racetrack where the sprinkling card had moistened it and they could smell hamburgers frying and see balloons aloft they could hear sheep blatting in their pens an enormous voice over the loudspeaker said attention please will the owner of a Pontiac car license number h2 four three nine please move your car away from the firework shed can I have some money asked fern can I - gasps Avery I'm going to win a doll by spinning a wheel and it will stop at the right number said fern I'm going to steer a jet plane and make it bump into another one can I have a balloon ask fern can I have a frozen custard and a cheeseburger and some raspberry soda pop asked Avery you children be quiet till we get the pig unloaded said mrs. arable let's let the children go off by themselves suggested mr. air bow the fair only comes once a year mr. arable gave fern two quarters and two dimes he gave Avery five dimes and four nickels now run along he said and remember the money has to last all day don't spend it all the first few minutes and be back here at the truck at noon time so we all have lunch together and don't eat a lot of stuff that's going to make you sick to your stomach and if you go in those swings said mrs. arable you hang on tight you hang on very tight hear me and don't get lost said mrs. Zuckerman and don't get dirty don't get overheated said their mother watch out for pickpockets caution their father and don't cross the racetrack where the horses are coming cried mrs. Zuckerman the children grabbed each other by the hand and danced off in the direction of the merry-go-round toward the wonderful music and the wonderful adventure and the wonderful excitement into the wonderful Midway where there would be no parents to guard them and them and where they could be happy and free and do as they please mrs. Arabella stood quietly and watched them go then she sighed then she blew her nose do you really think it's alright she asked while they've got to grow up sometime said mr. arable and a fair is a good place to start I guess while Wilbur was being unloaded and taken out of his crate and his new Pigpen crowds gathered to watch they stared at the sign Zukerman 'he's famous Pig he was pleased with his new home the pen was grassy and it was shaded from the Sun by a shed roof Charlotte watching her chance scrambled out of the crate and climbed a pulse to the underside of the roof nobody noticed her Templeton not wishing to come out in broad daylight stayed quietly under the straw at the bottom of the crate mr. Zuckerman poured some skim milk into Wilbur's trough pitched clean straw into his pen and then he and mrs. Zuckerman and the air bills walked away toward the cattle barn to look at purebred cows and to see the sights mr. Zuckerman particularly wanted to look at tractors mrs. Zuckerman wanted to see a deep freeze Murphy wandered off by himself hoping to meet friends and have some fun on the Midway as soon as the people were gone Charlotte spoke to Wilbur it's a good thing you can't see what I see she said what do you see asked Wilbur there's a pig in the next pen and he's enormous I'm afraid he's much bigger than you are maybe he's older than I am and he has had more time to grow suggested Wilbur tears began to come to his eyes I'll drop down and take a closer look Charlotte said then she crawled along a beam till she was directly over the next pen she let herself down on a dragline until she hung in the air just in front of the big pigs now may I have your name she asked politely the pig stared at her no name he said in a big hearty voice just call me uncle very well uncle replied Charlotte what is the date of your birth are you a spring Pig sure I'm a spring Pig replied uncle what did you think I was a spring chicken ha ha that's a good one a sister mildly funny said Charlotte I've heard funnier ones though glad to have met you and now I must be going she ascended slowly and returned to Wilbur's pen he claims he's a spring Pig reported Charlotte and perhaps he is one thing is certain he has a most unattractive personality he is too familiar too noisy and he crests weak jokes also he's not anywhere near as clean as you are nor is Pleasant I took quite a dislike to him in our brief interview he's going to be a hard pig to beat though Wilbur on account of his size and weight but with me helping you it can be done when are you going to spin a web test Wilbur this afternoon late if I'm not too tired said Charlotte the least thing tires me these days I don't seem to have the energy I once had my age I guess Wilbur looked at his friend she looked rather swollen and themed listless I'm awfully sorry to hear that you're feeling poorly Charlotte he said perhaps if you spin a web and catch a couple of flies you'll feel better perhaps she said wearily but I feel like the end of a long day clinging upside-down to the ceiling she settled down for a nap leaving Wilbur very much worried all morning people wandered past Wilbur's pen dozens and dozens of strangers stopped to stare at him and to admire his silky white coat his curly tail his kind and radiant expression then they would move on to the next pen where the bigger Pig lay Wilbur heard several people make favorable remarks about uncle's great size he couldn't help overhearing these remarks and he couldn't help worrying and now with Charlotte not feeling well he thought oh dear all morning Templeton slept quietly under the straw the day grew fiercely hot at noon the Zuckerman's of the era bills returned to the Pigpen then a few minutes later fern and Avery showed up fern had a monkey doll in her arms and was eating crackerjack Avery had a balloon tied to his ear and was chewing a candied apple the children were hot and dirty isn't it hot said mrs. Zuckerman it's terribly hot said mrs. arable Fanning herself with an advertisement of a deep freeze one by one they climbed into the truck and opened lunchboxes the Sun beat down on everything nobody seemed hungry one of the judges going to decide about Wilbur asked mrs. Zuckerman not till tomorrow said mr. Zuckerman Murphy appeared carrying an Indian blanket that he had won that's just what we need said Avery a blanket of course it is replied lurvy and he spread the blanket across the side boards of the truck so that it was like a little tent the children sat in the shade under the blanket and felt better after lunch they stretched out and fell asleep chapter 18 the cool of the evening in the cool of the evening when shadows darkened the fairgrounds templeton crept from the crate and looked around Wilber lay asleep in the straw Charlotte was building a web Templeton's keen nose detected many fine smells in the air the rat was hungry and thirsty he decided to go exploring without saying anything to anybody he started off bring me back a word Charlotte called after him I shall be writing tonight for the last time the rat mumbled something to himself and disappeared into the shadows he did not like being treated like a messenger boy after the heat of the day the evening came as a welcome relief to all the ferris wheel was lighted now it went round and round in the sky and seemed twice as high as by day there were lights on the Midway and you could hear the crackle of the gambling machines and the music of the merry-go-round and the voice of the man in the bino booth calling numbers the children felt refreshed after their nap fern met her friend Henry fussy and he invited her to ride with him in the ferris wheel he even bought a ticket for her so it didn't cost her anything when mrs. arable happened to look up into the starry sky and saw her little daughter sitting with Henry fussy and going higher and higher into the air and saw how happy fern looked she just shook her head my my she said Henry fussy think of that Templeton kept out of sight in the tall grass behind the cattle barn he found a folded newspaper inside it were leftovers from somebody's lunch a deviled ham sandwich a piece of Swiss cheese part of a hard-boiled egg and the core of a wormy Apple the rat crawled in and ate everything then he tore a word out of the paper rolled it up and started back to Wilbur's pen Charlotte had her web almost finished when Templeton returned carrying the newspaper clipping she had left a space in the middle of the web at this hour know people who are around the Pigpen so the rat and the spider and the pig were by themselves I hope you brought a good one Charlotte said it is the last word I shall ever write here said Templeton unrolling the paper what does it say as Charlotte you'll have to read it for me says humble replied the rat humble said Charlotte humble has two meanings it means not proud and it means near the ground that's Wilbur all over he's not proud and he's near the ground while I hope you're satisfied sneered the rat I'm not going to spend all my time fetching and carrying I came to this fair to enjoy myself not to deliver papers you've been very helpful Charlotte said run along if you want to see more of the fair the rat grinned I'm going to make a night of it he said the old sheep was right this fair is a rat's paradise what eating and what drinking and everywhere good hiding and good hunting bye bye my humble Wilbur fare thee well Charlotte you old schemer this will be a night to remember in a rat's life he vanished into the shadows Charlotte went back to her work it was quite dark now in the distance fireworks began going off Rockets scattering fiery balls into the sky by the time the air balls and the Zuckerman's allure V returned from the grandstand Charlotte had finished her web the word humble was woven neatly in the centre nobody noticed it in the darkness everyone was tired and happy fern and hay free climbed into the truck and lay down they pulled the Indian blanket over them Murphy gave Wilbur a fork full of fresh straw mr. arable patted time for us to go home he said to the pig see you tomorrow the grown-ups climbed slowly into the truck and Wilbur heard the engine start and then heard the truck moving away in low speed he would have felt lonely and homesick and Charlotte not been with him he never felt lonely when she was near in the distance he could still hear the music of the merry-go-round as he was dropping off to sleep he spoke to Charlotte sing me that song again about the dong in the dark he begged not tonight she said in a low voice I'm too tired her voice didn't seem to come from her web where are you asked Wilbur I can't see you are you on your web I'm back here she answered up in this back corner why I on your web s Wilbur you almost never leave your web I've left it tonight she said Wilbur closed his eyes Charlotte he said after a while do you really think sucker moon will let me live and not kill me when the cold weather comes do you really think so of course said Charlotte you are a famous Pig and you are a good pig tomorrow you will probably win a prize the whole world will hear about you sucker moon will be proud and happy to own such a pig you have nothing to fear Wilbur nothing to worry about maybe you'll live forever who knows and now go to sleep for a while there was no sound then Wilbur's voice what are you doing up there Charlotte Oh making something she said making something as usual is it something for me yes Wilbur no said Charlotte it's something for me for a change please tell me what it is begged Wilbur I'll tell you in the morning she said when the first light comes into the sky and the sparrow stir and the cows rattle their chains when the rooster crows and the stars fade when early cars whisper along the highway you look up here and I'll show you something I will show you my masterpiece before she finished the sentence Wilbur was asleep she could tell by the sound of his breathing that he was sleeping peacefully deep in the straw' miles away at the arable house the men sat around the kitchen table eating a dish of canned peaches and talking over the events of the day upstairs Avery was already in bed and asleep this is arable was tucking fern into bed did you have a good time at the fair she asked as she kissed her daughter fern nodded I had the best time I have ever had anywhere or any time in all of my whole life well said mrs. arable isn't that nice chapter 19 the egg sack next morning when the first light came into the sky and the sparrows stirred in the trees when the cows rattled their chains in the rooster crowed and the early automobiles went to whispering along the road Wilbur awoke and looked for Charlotte he saw her up overhead in a corner near the back of his pen she was very quiet her eight legs were spread wide she seemed to have shrunk during the night next to her attached to the ceiling Wilbur saw a curious object it was a sort of sack or cocoon it was peach colored and looked as though it were made of cotton candy are you awake Charlotte he said softly yes came the answer what is that nifty little thing did you make it I did indeed replied Charlotte in a weak voice is it a plaything placing I should say not it is my egg sack my magnum opus I don't know what a magnum opus is Wilbur that's Latin explains Charlotte it means great work this egg sack is my great work the finest thing I have ever made what's inside it yes Wilbur eggs 514 of them she replied 514 said Wilbur you're kidding no I'm not I counted them I got started counting so I kept on just to keep my mind occupied it's a perfectly beautiful exact than Wilbur feeling as happy as though he had constructed it himself yes it is pretty replied Charlotte patting the sack with her two front legs anyway I can guarantee that it is strong it's made out of the toughest material I have it is also waterproof the eggs are inside and will be warm and dry Charlotte said Wilbur dreamily are you really going to have 514 children if nothing happens yes she said of course they won't show up till next spring Wilbur notice that Charlotte's voice sounded sad what makes you sound so downhearted I should think you'd be terribly happy about this oh don't pay any attention to me said Charlotte I just don't have much pep anymore I guess I feel sad because I won't ever see my children what do you mean you won't see your children of course you will we'll all see them it's going to be simply wonderful next spring in the barns cellar with 514 baby spiders running around all over the place and the geese we'll have a new set of goslings and the Sheep will have their new Lambs maybe said Charlotte quietly however I have a feeling I'm not going to see the results of last night's efforts I don't feel good at all I think I'm languishing to tell you the truth Wilbur didn't understand the word languish and he hated to bother Charlotte by asking her to explain but he was so worried he felt he had to ask what does languishing mean it means I'm slowing up feeling my age I'm not young anymore Wilbur but I don't want you to worry about me this is your big day today look at my web doesn't it show up well with the dew on it Charlotte's Web never looked more beautiful than it looked this morning each strand held dozens of bright drops of early morning dew the light from the east struck it and made it all plain and clear it was a perfect piece of designing and building and another hour or two a steady stream of people would pass by admiring it and reading it and looking at Wilbur and marveling at the miracle as Wilbur was studying the web a pair of whiskers and a sharp face appeared slowly Templeton dragged himself across the pen and threw himself down in a corner I'm back he said in a husky voice what a night the rat was swollen to twice his normal size his stomach was as big around as a jelly jar what a night he repeated hoarsely what feasting and carousing a real gorge I must have eaten the remains of 30 lunches never have I seen such leavings and everything well ripened and seasoned with the passage of time in the heat of the day oh it was rich my friends rich you ought to be ashamed of your stump that's Charlotte and disgust it would serve you right if you had an acute attack of indigestion don't worry about my stomach snarled Templeton it can handle anything and by the way I've got some bad news as I came past that pig next door the one that calls himself uncle I noticed a blue tag on the front of his pen that means he is won first prize I guess you're licked Wilbur you might as well relax nobody is going to hang any medal on you furthermore I wouldn't be surprised if sucker Minh changes his mind about you wait till he gets hankering for some fresh pork and smoked ham and crisp bacon he'll take the knife to you my boy be still said Charlotte you're too stuffed and bloated to know what you're saying don't pay any attention to him Wilbur Wilbur tried not to think about what the rat had just said he decided to change the subject Templeton said Wilbur if you weren't so dopey you would have noticed that Charlotte has made an eggs that she is going to become a mother for your information there are 514 eggs in that peachy little sac is that true yes the rat eying the sac suspiciously yes it's true sighed Charlotte congratulations murmured Templeton this has been a night he closed his eyes pulled some straw over himself and dropped off into a deep sleep Wilbur and Charlotte were glad to be rid of him for a while at nine o'clock mystery rebels truck rolled into the fairgrounds and came to a stop at Wilbur's pen everybody climbed out look cried fern look at Charlotte's Web look what it says the grown ups and the children join hands and stood there studying the new sign humble said mr. Zuckerman now isn't that just the word for Wilbur everyone rejoiced to find that the miracle of the web had been repeated Wilbur gauged up lovingly into their faces he looked very humble and very grateful fern winked at Charlotte lurvy soon got busy he poured a bucket of warm slops into the trough and while Wilbur ate his breakfast lurvy scratched him gently with a smooth stick wait a minute cried Avery look at this he pointed to the blue tag on uncles pen this pig has won first prize already the sucker mends in the air bill stared at the tag mrs. Zuckerman began to cry nobody said a word they just stared at the tag then they stared at Uncle then they stared at the tag again lurvy took out an enormous handkerchief and blew his nose very loud so loud in fact that the noise was heard by stable boys over at the horse barn can I have some money as fern I want to go out on the Midway you stay right where you are said her mother tears came to ferns eyes what's everybody crying about asked mr. Zuckerman let's get busy Edith bring the buttermilk mrs. Zuckerman wiped her eyes with her handkerchief she went to the truck and came back with a gallon jar of buttermilk bath time said Zuckerman cheerfully he and mrs. Zuckerman and Avery climbed into Wilbur's pen every slowly poured buttermilk on Wilbur's head and back and as it trickled down his side's and cheeks mr. and mrs. Zuckerman rubbed it into his hair and skin passerby stopped to watch pretty soon quite a crowd had gathered Wilbur grew beautifully white and smooth the morning Sun shone through his pink ears he isn't as big as that pig next door remarked one bystander but he's cleaner that's what I like so do I said another man he's humble too said a woman reading the sign on the web everybody who visited the pig pen had a good word to say about Wilbur everyone admired the web and of course nobody noticed Charlotte suddenly a voice was heard on the loudspeaker attention please had said well mr. Homer Zuckerman bring his famous pig to the judges booth in front of the grandstand a special award will be made there in 20 minutes everyone is invited to attend create your Pig please mr. Zuckerman and report to the judges booth promptly for a moment after this announcement the arable x' and the Zuckerman's were unable to speak or move then Avery picked up a handful of straw and threw would high in the air and gave a loud yell the straw flutter down like confetti in two ferns here mr. Zuckerman hugged mrs. Zuckerman mr. arable kissed mrs. arable Avery kissed Wilbur Murphy shook hands with everybody fern hunter mother Avery hunt fern mrs. arable hug mrs. Zuckerman up overhead in the shadows of the ceiling Charlotte crouched unseen her front legs encircling her egg sack her heart was not beating as strongly as usual and she felt weary and old but she was sure at last that she had saved Wilbur's life and she felt peaceful and contented we have no time to lose shouted mr. Zuckerman lurvy help with the crate can I have some money as fern you wait said mrs. arable can't you see everybody is busy put that empty buttermilk jar into the truck commanded mr. arable Avery grabbed the jar and rushed to the truck does my hair look all right asked mrs. Zuckerman looks fine stamp mr. Zuckerman as he and lurvy set the crate down in front of Wilbur you didn't even look at my hair said mrs. Zuckerman you're all right Edith said mrs. arable just keep calm Templeton asleep in the straw heard the commotion and awoke he didn't know exactly what was going on but when he saw the men shoving Wilbur into the crate he made up his mind to go along he watched his chance and when no one was looking he crept into the crate and buried himself in the straw at the bottom already boys cried mr. Zuckerman let's go he and mr. arable and lurvy and Avery grabbed the crate and boosted it over the side of the pen and up into the truck fern jumped aboard and sat on top of the crate she still has drawn her hair and looked very pretty and excited mr. arable started the motor everyone climbed in and off they drove to the judges booth in front of the grandstand as they passed the ferris wheel fern gazed up in it and wished she were in the Taplow car with Henry fussy at her side chapter 20 the hour of triumph special announcement said the loud speaker in a pompous voice the management of the fair takes great pleasure in presenting mr. Homer alderman and his famous Pig the truck bearing this extraordinary animal is now approaching the infield kindly stand back and give the truck room to proceed in a few moments the pig will be unloaded in the special judging ring in front of the grandstand where a special award will be made will the crowd please make way and let the truck pass thank you Wilbur trembled when he heard this speech he felt happy but dizzy the truck crept along slowly in low speed crowds of people surrounded it and mr. arable had to drive very carefully in order to not run over anybody at last he managed to reach the judges stand avery jumped out and lowered the tailgate i'm scared to death whispered mrs. Zuckerman hundreds of people are looking at us cheer up replied mrs. arable this is fun unload your pig please said the loudspeaker altogether now boys said mr. Zuckerman several men stepped forward from the crowd to help lift the crate Avery was the busiest helper of all tuck your shirt in Avery cried mrs. Zuckerman and tighten your belt your pants are coming down can't you see I'm busy plied Avery and disgust look cried fern pointing there's Henry don't shout fern said her mother and don't point can't I please have some money yes fern Henry invited me to go on the ferris wheel again only I don't think he has any money left he ran out of money mrs. arable opened her handbag here she said here is 40 cents now don't get lost and be back at our regular meeting place by the Pigpen very soon fern raced off ducking and dodging through the crowd in search of Henry the Zuckerman Pig is now being taken from his crate boomed the voice of the loud speaker stand by for an announcement Templeton crouched under the straw at the bottom of the crate what a lot of nonsense muttered the rat what a lot of fuss about nothing over in the Pigpen silent and alone Charlotte rested her two front legs embraced the egg sac Charlotte could hear everything that was said on the loudspeaker the words gave her courage this was her hour of triumph as Wilbur came out of the crate the crowd clapped and cheered mr. Zuckerman took off his cap and bowed Murphy pulled his big handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from the back of his neck Avery knelt in the dirt by Wilbur's side busily stroking him and showing off mrs. Zuckerman and mrs. arable stood on the running board of the truck ladies and gentlemen said the loudspeaker we now present mr. Homer el Zukerman distinguished Pig the fame of this unique animal has spread to the far corners of the earth attracting many valuable tourists to our great state many of you we would call the never-to-be-forgotten day last summer when the writing appeared mysteriously on the spider's web in mr. Zuckerman's barn calling the attention of all and sundry to the fact that this pig was completely out of the ordinary this miracle has never been fully explained although learnand men have visited the Zuckerman's pig pen to study and observe the phenomenon in the last analysis we simply know that we are dealing with supernatural forces here and we should all feel proud and grateful in the words of the spider's web ladies and gentlemen this is some Pig Wilbur blushed he stood perfectly still and tried to look his best this magnificent animal continued the loudspeaker is truly terrific look at him ladies and gentlemen look note the smoothness and whiteness of the coat observe the spotless skin the healthy pink glow of ears and snout it's the buttermilk whispered mrs. arable to mrs. Zuckerman note the general radiance of this animal then remember the day when the word radiant appeared clearly on the web whence came this mysterious writing not from the spider we can rest assured of that spiders are very clever at leaving their webs but needless to say spiders cannot write oh they can't can't they murmured Charlotte to herself ladies and gentlemen continued the loudspeaker I must not take any more of your valuable time on behalf of the governors of the fair I have the honor of awarding a special prize of $25 to mr. Zuckerman together with a handsome bronze medal suitably engraved in token of our appreciation of the part played by this pig this radiant this terrific this humble pig and attracting so many visitors to our great county fair Wilbur had been feeling dizzier and dizzier through this long complimentary speech when he heard the crowd began to cheer and clap again he suddenly fainted away his legs collapsed his mind went blank and he fell to the ground unconscious what's wrong as the loudspeaker what's going on succor men what's the trouble with your Pig Avery was kneeling by Wilbur's head stroking him mr. Zuckerman was dancing about Fanning him with his cap he's all right cried mr. Zuckerman he gets these spells he's modest and can't stand praise well we can't give a prize to a dead pig said the loudspeaker it's never been done he's a dead hollered Zuckerman he's fainted he gets embarrassed easily run for some water lurvy Murphy sprang from the judges ring and disappeared Templeton poked his head from the straw he noticed that the end of Wilbur's tail was within reach Templeton grinned I'll tend to this he chuckled he took Wilbur's tail in his mouth and bid it just as hard as he could bite the pain revived Wilbur in a - he was back on his feet ouch he screamed her Rea yelled the crowd he's up the pigs up good work Zuckerman that's some Pig everyone was delighted mr. Zuckerman was the most pleased of all he sighed with relief nobody had seen Templeton the rat had done his work well and now one of the judges climbed into the ring with the prizes he handed mr. Zuckerman two ten dollar bills and a five dollar bill then he tied the metal around Wilbur's neck then he shook hands with mr. Zuckerman while Wilbur blushed every put out his hand and the judge shook hands with him too the crowd cheered a photographer took Wilbur's picture a great feeling of happiness swept over the Zuckerman's and the arable this was the greatest moment in mr. Zuckerman's life it is deeply satisfying to win a prize in front of a lot of people as Wilbur was being shoved back into the crate Murphy came charging through the crowd carrying a pail of water his eyes had a wild look without hesitating a second he dashed the water at Wilbur in his excitement he missed his aim and the water splashed all over mr. Zuckerman an Avery they got soaking wet for goodness sake bellowed mr. Zuckerman who was really drenched what ails you lurvy can't you see the pig is all right you asked for water Murphy meekly I didn't ask for a shower bath but mr. Zuckerman the crowd roared with laughter finally mr. Zuckerman had to laugh - and of course Avery was tickled to find himself so wet and he immediately started to act like a clown he pretended he was taking a shower bath he made faces and danced around and rubbed imaginary soap under his armpits then he dried himself with an imaginary towel avery stop it cried his mother stop showing off but the crowd loved it Avery heard nothing but the applause he liked being a clown in a ring with everybody watching in front of a grandstand when he discovered that there was still a little water left in the bottom of the pail he raised the pail hi in the air and dump the water on himself and made faces the children in the grandstands screamed with appreciation at last things calm down Wilbur was loaded into the truck Avery was led from the ring by his mother and placed on the seat of the truck to dry off the truck driven by mr. arable crawled slowly back to the Pigpen Avery's wet trousers made a big wet spot on the seat chapter 21 last day Charlotte and Wilbur were alone the families had gone to look for fern Templeton was asleep Wilbur lay resting after the excitement and strain of the ceremony his medals still hung from his neck by looking out of the corner of his eye he could see it Charlotte said Wilbur after a while why are you so quiet I like to sit still she said I've always been rather quiet yes but you seem especially so today do you feel all right a little tired perhaps but I feel peaceful your success in the ring this morning was to a small degree my success your future is assured you will live secure and safe Wilbur nothing can harm you now these autumn days will shorten and grow cold the leaves will shake loose from the trees and fall Christmas will come then the snows of winter you will live to enjoy the beauty of the frozen world for you mean a great deal to Zuckerman and he will not harm you ever winter will pass the days will lengthen the ice will melt in the pasture Pond the songs barrel will return and sing the frogs will awake the warm wind will blow again all these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy Wilbur this lovely world these precious days Charlotte stopped a moment later a tear came to Wilbur's eye Oh Charlotte he said to think that when I first met you I thought you were cruel and bloodthirsty when he recovered from his emotion he spoke again why did you do all this for me he asked I don't deserve it I've never done anything for you you have been my friend replied Charlotte that in itself is a tremendous thing I wove my webs for you because I liked you after all what's a life anyway we're born we live a little while we die a spider's life can't help but being something of a mess with all this trapping and eating flies by helping you perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that well said Wilbur I'm no good at making speeches I haven't got your gift for words but you have saved me Charlotte and I would gladly give my life for you I really would I'm sure you would and I thank you for your generous sentiments Charlotte said Wilbur we're all going home today the fair is almost over won't it be wonderful to be back home in the barn cellar again with the sheep and the geese aren't you anxious to get home for a moment Charlotte said nothing then she spoke in a voice so low Wilbur could hardly hear the words I will not be going back to the barn she said Wilbur leaped to his feet not going back he cried Charlotte what are you talking about I'm done for she replied in a day or two I'll be dead I haven't even strength enough to climb down into the crate I doubt if I have enough silk in my spinnerets to lower me to the ground hearing this Wilbur threw himself down in an agony of pain and sorrow great sobs racked his body he heaved and grunted with desolation Charlotte he moaned Charlotte my true friend come now let's not make a scene said the spider be quiet Wilbur stop thrashing about but I can't stand it shouted Wilbur I won't leave you here alone to die if you're going to stay here I shall stay too don't be ridiculous such Charlotte you can't stay here sucker man and lurvy and John arable and the others will be back any minute now and they'll shove you into that crate and away you'll go besides it would make any sense for you to stay there would be no one to feed you the fairgrounds will soon be empty into certain Wilbur was in a panic he raced round and round the pen suddenly had an idea he thought of the egg sac and the 514 little spiders that would hatch in the spring if Charlotte herself was unable to go home to the barn at least he must take her children along Wilbur rushed to the front of his pen he put his front feet on the top board and gazed around in the distance he saw the arable x' and the Zuckerman's approaching he knew he would have to act quickly where's Templeton he demanded he's in that corner under the straws asleep said Charlotte Wilbur rushed over pushed his strong stout under the rat and tossed him into the air Templeton screamed Wilbur pay attention the rat surprised out of a sound sleep looked first days than disgusted what kind of monkey shine is this he growled can't a rat catch a wink of sleep without being rudely popped into the air listen to me cried Wilbur Charlotte is very ill she only has a short time to live she cannot accompany his home because of her condition therefore it is absolutely necessary that I take her egg sack with me I can't reach it and I can't climb you are the only one that can get it there's not a second to be lost the people are coming they'll be here in no time please please PLEASE Templeton climb up and get the egg sac the rat yawned he straightened his whiskers then he looked up at the egg sac so he said and discussed so it's old Templeton to the rescue again is it Templeton do this Templeton do that Templeton please run down to the dump and get me a magazine clipping Templeton please lend me a piece of string so I can spin a web Oh hurry said Wilbur hurry up Templeton but the rat was in no hurry he began imitating Wilbur's voice so it's hurry up Templeton isn't he said oho and what thanks do I ever get for these services I would like to know never a kind word for old Templeton only abuse and wisecracks and side remarks never kind word for a rat Templeton said Wilbur in desperation if you don't stop talking and get busy all will be lost and I will die of a broken heart please climb up Templeton lay back in the straw lazily he placed his forepaws behind his head and crossed his knees in an attitude of complete relaxation died of a broken heart he mimicked how touching my my I noticed that it's always me you come to one in trouble but I've never heard of anyone's heart breaking on my account Oh No who cares anything about old Templeton get up screamed Wilbur stop acting like a spoiled child Templeton grinned and lay still who made trip after trip to the dump he asked why it was old Templeton who saved Charlotte's life by scaring that arable boy away with a rotten goose egg bless my soul I believe it was old Templeton who pictured tail and got you back on your feet this morning after you fainted in front of the crowd old Templeton has it ever occurred to you that I'm sick of running errands and doing favors what do you think I am anyway a rat of all work Wilbur was desperate the people were coming and the rat was failing him suddenly he remembered Templeton's fondness for food Templeton he said I will make you a solemn promise get Charlotte's egg sack for me and from now on I will let you eat first when lurvy slaps me I will let you have your choice of everything in the trough and it won't touch a thing until you're through the rat set up you mean that he said I promise I crossed my heart all right it's a deal said the rat he walked to the wall and started to climb his stomach was still swollen from last night's gorge groaning and complaining he pulled himself slowly to the ceiling he crept along till he reached the egg sack Charlotte moved aside for him she was dying but she still had strength enough to move a little then Templeton bared his long ugly teeth and began snipping the threads that fastened the sack to the ceiling Wilbur watched from below use extreme care he said I don't want to single one of those eggs harmed this does sticks in my mouth complained the rat it's worse than caramel candy but Templeton worked away at the job and managed to cut the sack adrift and carry it to the ground where he dropped it in front of Wilbur Wilbur heaved a great sigh of relief Thank You Templeton he said I will never forget this as long as I live neither will I so the rat picking his teeth I feel as though I'd eaten up spool of thread well home we go Templeton crept into the crate and buried himself in the straw he got out of sight just in time Livie and John arable and mr. Zuckerman came along at that moment followed by mrs. arable and mrs. Zuckerman and Avery at fern Wilbur had already decided how he would carry the egg sack there was only one way possible he carefully took the little bundle in his mouth and held it there on top of his tongue he remembered what Charlotte had told him that the sack was waterproof and strong it felt funny on his tongue and made him drool a bit and of course he couldn't say anything but as he was being shoved into the crate he looked up at Charlotte and gave her a wink she knew he was saying goodbye in the only way he could and she knew her children were safe goodbye she whispered then she summoned all her strength and waved one of her front legs at him she never moved again next day as the ferris wheel was being taken apart and the racehorses were being loaded into vans and the entertainers were packing up their belongings and driving away in their trailers Charlotte died the fairgrounds were soon deserted the sheds and buildings were empty and forlorn the inn field was littered with bottles and trash nobody of the some people that had visited the fair knew that a gray spider had played the most important part of all no one was with her when she died chapter 22 a warm wind and so Wilber came home to his beloved manure pile in the barns cellar his was a strange homecoming around his neck he wore a Medal of Honor in his mouth he held a sack of spiders eggs there is no place like home Wilbur thought as he placed Charlotte's 514 unborn children carefully in a safe corner the barn smelled good his friends the sheep and the geese were glad to see him back the geese gave him a noisy welcome congrats you Congrats you can graduate they cried nice work mr. Zuckerman took the metal from Wilbur's neck and hung it on a nail over the Pigpen or visitors could examine it well himself could look at it whenever he wanted to in the days that followed he was very happy he grew to a great size he no longer worried about being killed for he knew that mr. Zuckerman would keep him as long as he lived Wilbur often thought of Charlotte a few strands of her old webs still hung in the doorway every day Wilbur would stand and look at the torn empty web and a lump would come to his throat no one had ever had such a friend so affectionate so loyal and so skilful the autumn days grew shorter livery brought the squashes and pumpkins in from the garden and piled them on the barn floor where they wouldn't get nipped on frosty nights the maples and birches turned bright colors and the wind shook them and they dropped their leaves one by one to the ground under the wild apple trees in the pasture the red little apples lay thick on the ground and the sheep gnawed them and the geese gnawed them and foxes came in the night and sniffed them one evening just before Christmas snow began falling it covered house and barn and fields and woods Wilbur had never seen snow before when morning came he went out and plowed the drifts in his yard for the fun of it fern and Avery arrived dragging a sled they coasted down the lane and out into the frozen pond in the pasture coasting is the most fun there is said Avery the most fun there is retorted fern is when the ferris wheel stops and Henry and I are in the top car and Henry makes the car swing and we can see everything for miles and miles and miles goodness are you still thinking about that old ferris wheel said Avery and discussed the fair was weeks and weeks ago I think about it all the time said fern picking snow from her ear after Christmas the thermometer dropped to ten below zero cold settled on the world the pasture was bleak and frozen the cow stayed in the barn all the time now except on sunny mornings when they went out and stood in the barnyard in the Lee of the straw pile the sheep stayed near the barn to for protection when they were thirsty they ate snow the geese hung around the barnyard the way boys hang around a drugstore and mr. Zuckerman fed them corn and turnips to keep them cheerful many many many thanks they always said when they saw food coming Templeton moved indoors when winter came his ratty home under the pig trough was too chilly so he fixed himself a cozy nest in the barn behind the grain bins he lined it with bits of dirty newspapers and rags and whenever he found a trinket or a keepsake he carried it home and stored it there he continued to visit Wilbur three times a day exactly at mealtime and Wilbur kept the promise he had made Wilbur let the rat eat first then when Templeton couldn't hold another mouthful Wilbur would eat as a result of overeating Templeton grew bigger and fatter than any rat you ever saw he was gigantic he was as big as a young woodchuck the old sheep spoke to him about his size one day you would live longer said the old sheep she ate less who wants to live forever near the rat I am naturally a heavy eater and I get on told satisfaction from the pleasures of the feast he patted his stomach grinned at the Sheep and crept upstairs to lie down all winter Wilber watched over Charlotte's legs dak as though he were guarding his own children he had scooped out a special place in the manure for the sack next to the board fence I'm very cold nights he lays so that his breath would warm it for Wilber nothing in life was so important as this small round object nothing else mattered patiently he awaited the end of winter and the coming of the little spiders life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch the winter ended at last I heard the frogs today said the old sheep one evening listen you can hear them now Wilber Stood Still and cocked his ears from the pond in shrill chorus came the voices of hundreds of little frogs springtime said the old sheep thoughtfully another spring as she walked away Wilber saw a new lamb following her it was only a few hours old the snows melted and ran away the streams and ditches bubbled and chattered with rushing water a sparrow with a streaky breast arrived and saying the light strengthened the mornings came sooner almost every morning there was another new lamb in the sheepfold the goose was sitting on nine eggs the sky seemed whiter and a warm wind blew the last remaining strands of Charlotte's old web floated away and vanished one fine sunny morning after breakfast Wilber stood watching his precious SAP he wasn't thinking of anything much as he stood there he noticed something move he stepped closer and stared a tiny spider crawled from the sack it was no bigger than a grain of sand no bigger than the head of a pin its body was gray with a black stripe underneath its legs were gray and tan it looked just like Charlotte Wilbur trembled all over when he saw it the little spider waved at him then Wilbur looked more closely two more little spiders crawled out waved they climbed round and round on the sack exploring their new world then three more little spiders then eight then ten Charlotte children were here at last Wilbur's heart pounded he began to squeal then he raced in circles kicking manure into the air then he turned a back flip then he planted his front feet and came to a stop in front of Charlotte children hello there he said the first spider said hello but his voice was so small Wilbur couldn't hear it I am an old friend of your mother's said Wilbur I'm glad to see you are you all right is everything all right the little spiders waved their forelegs at him Wilbur could see by the way they acted that they were glad to see him is there anything I can get you is there anything you need the young spiders just waved for several days and several nights they crawled here and there up and down around and about waving at Wilbur trailing tiny drag lines behind them and exploring their home there were dozens and dozens of them Wilbur couldn't count them but he knew that he had a great many new friends they grew quite rapidly soon each was as big as a BB shot they made tiny webs near the sack then came a quiet morning when mr. Zuckerman opened a door on the north side a warm draught of rising air blew softly through the barns cellar the air smelled of the damp earth of the spruce woods of the sweet springtime the baby spiders felt the warm updraft one spider climbed to the top of the fence then it did something that came as a great surprise to Wilbur the spider stood at its head pointed its spinnerets in the air and let loose a cloud of fine silk the silk formed a balloon as Wilbur watched the spider let go of the fence and rolls into the air goodbye it said as it sailed through the doorway wait a minute screamed Wilbur where do you think you're going but the spider was already out of sight then another baby spider crawled to the top of the fence stood on its head made a balloon and sailed away then another spider then another the air was soon filled with tiny balloons each balloon carrying a spider Wilbur was frantic Charlotte's babies were disappearing at a great rate come back children he cried goodbye they called goodbye goodbye at last one little spider took time enough to stop and talk to Wilbur before making its balloon we're leaving here on the warm updraft this is our moment for setting forth we are arrow knots and we are going out into the world to make webs for ourselves but we're s Wilbur wherever the wind takes us high low near far east west north south we take to the breeze we go as we please are all of you going asked Wilbur you can't all go I would be left alone with no friends your mother wouldn't want that to happen I'm sure the air was now so full of balloonist that the barn cellar looked almost as though a mist had gathered balloons by the Dozen were rising circling and drifting away through the door sailing off on the gentle wind cries of bye goodbye goodbye came weakly to Wilbur's ears he couldn't bear to watch anymore in sorrow he sank to the ground and closed his eyes this seemed like the end of the world to be deserted by Charlotte's children Wilbur cried himself to sleep when he woke it was late afternoon he looked at the egg sack it was empty he looked into the air the balloonist were gone then he walked drew early to the doorway where Charlotte's Web used to be he was standing there thinking of her when he heard a small voice salutations it said I'm up here so am I said another tiny voice so am I said a third voice three of us are staying we like this place and we like you Wilbur looked up at the top of the doorway three small webs were being constructed on each web working busily was one of Charlotte's daughters can I take this to me s Wilbur that you have definitely decided to live here in the barn cellar and that I am going to have three friends you can indeed set the spiders what are your names please s Wilbur trembling with joy I'll tell you my name replied the first little spider if you'll tell me why you are trembling I'm trembling with joy said Wilbur then my name is joy so the first spider what was my mother's middle initial asked the second spider eh said Wilbur then my name is Aranea said the spider how about me as the third spider well you just pick out a nice sensible name for me something not too long not too fancy and not too dumb Wilbur thought hard Nellie he suggested fine I like that very much said the third spider you may call me Nelly she daintily fastened her or blind to the next book of the web Wilbur's heart brimmed with happiness he felt that he should make a short speech on this very important occasion joy arania Nelly he began welcome to the barns cellar you have chosen a hallowed doorway from which to string your webs I think it is only fair to tell you that I was devoted to your mother I owe my very life to her she was brilliant beautiful and loyal to the end I shall always treasure her memory to you her daughters I pledged my friendship forever and ever I pledged mine said joy I do too said arania and so do i said Nelly who had just managed to catch a small gnat it was a happy day for Wilbur and many more happy tranquil days followed as time went on and the months and years came and went he was never without friends fern did not come regularly to the barn anymore she was growing up and was careful to avoid childish things like sitting on a milk stool near a Pigpen but Charlotte children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren year after year lived in the doorway each spring there were new little spiders hatching out to take the place of the old most of them sailed away on their balloons but always two or three stayed and set up housekeeping in the doorway mr. Zuckerman took fine care of Wilbur all the rest of his days and the pig was often visited by friends and admirers for nobody ever forgot the year of his triumphs and the miracle of the web life in the barn was very good night and day winter and summer spring and fall dull days and bright days it was the best place to be thought Wilbur this warm delicious cellar with the garrulous geese the changing seasons the heat of the Sun the passage of swallows the nearness of rats the sameness of sheep the love of spiders the smell of manure and the glory of everything will burn never forgot Charlotte although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart she was in a class by herself it is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer Charlotte was both

Channel: Life With Wisdom

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Length: 196min 55sec (11815 seconds)

Published: Tue May 23 2017