Паутина Шарлотты
Chapter 9
LikeFern,shewastrulyfondofWilbur,whosesmellypenandstalefoodattractedthefliesthatsheneeded,andshewasproudtoseethathewasnotaquitterandwaswillingtotryagaintospinaweb.
Whiletheratandthespiderandthelittlegirlwatched,Wilburclimbedagaintothetopofthemanurepile,fullofenergyandhope.
"Everbodywatch!"hecried.Andsummoningallhisstrength,hethrewhimselfintotheair,headfirst.Thestringtrailedbehindhim.Butashehadneglectedtofastentheotherendtoanything,itdidn’treallydoanygood,andWilburlandedwithathud,crushedandhurt.Tearscametohiseyes.Templetongrinned.Charlottejustsatquietly.Afterabitshespoke.
"Youcan’tspinaweb,Wilbur,andIadviseyoutoputtheideaoutofyourmind.Youlacktwothingsneededforspinningaweb."
"Whatarethey?"askedWilbur,sadly.
"Youlackasetofspinnerets,andyoulackknow-how.Butcheerup,youdon’tneedaweb.Zuckermansuppliesyouwiththreebigmealsaday.Whyshouldyouworryabouttrappingfood?"
Wilbursighed."You’reeversomuchclevererandbrighterthanIam,Charlotte.IguessIwasjusttryingtoshowoff.Servesmeright."
Templetonuntiedhisstringandtookitbacktohishome.Charlottereturnedtoherweaving.
"Youneedn’tfeeltoobadly,Wilbur,"shesaid."Notmanycreaturescanspinwebs.Evenmenaren’tasgoodatitasspiders,althoughtheythinkthey’reprettygood,andthey’lltryanything.DidyoueverhearoftheQueensboroughBridge?"
Wilburshookhishead."Isitaweb?"
"Sortof,"repliedCharlotte.
