Паутина Шарлотты

           "

           Abouthalfanhourbeforedawn,Wilburwokeandlistened.

           Thebarnwasstilldark.Thesheeplaymotionless.Eventhegoosewasquiet.Overhead,onthemainfloor,nothingstirred:thecowswereresting,thehorsesdozed.Templetonhadquitworkandgoneoffsomewhereonanerrand.Theonlysoundwasaslightscrapingnoisefromtherooftop,wheretheweather-vaneswungbackandforth.Wilburlovedthebarnwhenitwaslikethiscalmandquiet,waitingforlight.

           "Dayisalmosthere,"hethought.Throughasmallwindow,afaintgleamappeared.Onebyonethestarswentout.Wilburcouldseethegooseafewfeetaway.Shesatwithheadtuckedunderawing.Thenhecouldseethesheepandthelambs.Theskylightened.

           "Oh,beautifulday,itishereatlast!TodayIshallfindmyfriend."

           Wilburlookedeverywhere.Hesearchedhispenthoroughly.Heexaminedthewindowledge,staredupattheceiling.Buthesawnothingnew.Finallyhedecidedhewouldhavetospeakup.Hehatedtobreakthelovelystillnessofdaybyusinghisvoice,buthecouldn’tthinkofanyotherwaytolocatethemysteriousnewfriendwhowasnowheretobeseen.SoWilburclearedhisthroat.

           "Attention,please!"hesaidinaloud,firmvoice."Willthepartywhoaddressedmeatbedtimelastnightkindlymakehimselforherselfknownbygivinganappropriatesignorsignal!"

           Wilburpausedandlistened.Alltheotheranimalsliftedtheirheadsandstaredathim.Wilburblushed.Buthewasdeterminedtogetintouchwithhisunknownfriend.

           "Attention,please!"hesaid."Iwillrepeatthemessage.