Паутина Шарлотты

           Andmanymorehappy,tranquildaysfollowed.

           Astimewenton,andthemonthsandyearscame,andwent,hewasneverwithoutfriends.Ferndidnotcomeregularlytothebarnanymore.Shewasgrowingup,andwascarefultoavoidchildishthings,likesittingonamilkstoolnearapigpen.ButCharlotte’schildrenandgrandchildrenandgreatgrandchildren,yearafteryear,livedinthedoorway.Eachspringtherewerenewlittlespidershatchingouttotaketheplaceoftheold.Mostofthemsailedaway,ontheirballoons.Butalwaystwoorthreestayedandsetuphousekeepinginthedoorway.

           Mr.ZuckermantookfinecareofWilburalltherestofhisdays,andthepigwasoftenitedbyfriendsandadmirers,fornobodyeverforgottheyearofhistriumphandthemiracleoftheweb.Lifeinthebarnwasverygood-nightandday,winterandsummer,springandfall,dulldaysandbrightdays.Itwasthebestplacetobe,thoughtWilbur,thiswarmdeliciouscellar,withthegarrulousgeese,thechangingseasons,theheatofthesun,thepassageofswallows,thenearnessofrats,thesamenessofsheep,theloveofspiders,thesmellofmanure,andthegloryofeverything.

           WilburneverforgotCharlotte.Althoughhelovedherchildrenandgrandchildrendearly,noneofthenewspiderseverquitetookherplaceinhisheart.Shewasinaclassbyherself.Itisnotoftenthatsomeonecomesalongwhoisatruefriendandagoodwriter.Charlottewasboth.