Паутина Шарлотты

           Fromtheedgeofthewoods,thewhite-throatedsparrow(whichmustcomeallthewayfromBoston)calls,"Oh,Peabody,Peabody,Peabody!"Onanapplebough,thephoebeteetersandwagsitstailandsays,"Phoebe,phoe-bee!"Thesongsparrow,whoknowshowbriefandlovelylifeis,says,"Sweet,sweet,sweetinterlude;sweet,sweet,sweetinterlude."Ifyouenterthebarn,theswallowsswoopdownfromtheirnestsandscold."Cheeky,cheeky!"theysay.

           Inearlysummerthereareplentyofthingsforachildtoeatanddrinkandsuckandchew.Dandelionstemsarefullofmilk,cloverheadsareloadedwithnectar,theFrigidaireisfullofice-colddrinks.Everywhereyoulookislife;eventhelittleballofspitontheweedstalk,ifyoupokeitapart,hasagreenworminsideit.Andontheundersideoftheleafofthepotatovinearethebrightorangeeggsofthepotatobug.

           Itwasonadayinearlysummerthatthegooseeggshatched.

           Thiswasanimportanteventinthebarncellar.Fernwasthere,sittingonherstool,whenithappened.

           Exceptforthegooseherself,Charlottewasthefirsttoknowthatthegoslingshadatlastarrived.Thegooseknewadayinadvancethattheywerecoming-shecouldheartheirweakvoicescallingfrominsidetheegg.Sheknewthattheywereinadesperatelycrampedpositioninsidetheshellandweremostanxioustobreakthroughandgetout.Soshesatquitestill,andtalkedlessthanusual.

           Whenthefirstgoslingpokeditsgrey-greenheadthroughthegoose’sfeathersandlookedaround,Charlottespieditandmadetheannouncement.