Charlotte's Web
Wilbur lay resting after the excitement and strain of the ceremony. His medal still hung from his neck; by looking out of the comer 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 specially 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… 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?… 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. "The Fair is almost over, Aren't you anxious to get home?" For a moment Charlotte said nothing. Then she spoke in a voice so low that Wilbur could hardly hear the words.
"I will not be going back to the barn," she said.
Wilbur leapt 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. ... "I won't leave you here alone to die. If you're going to stay here I shall stay, too." "Don't be ridiculous," said Charlotte. "You can't stay here. Zuckerman 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."
Wilbur was in a panic. he raced round and round the pen. Suddenly he had an idea he thought of the egg sac and the five hundred and fourteen 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.
