Chapter 10

           Dayafterdaythespiderwaited,head-down,foranideatocometoher.Hourbyhourshesatmotionless,deepinthought.

           HavingpromisedWilburthatshewouldsavehislife,shewasdeterminedtokeepherpromise.

           Charlottewasnaturallypatient.Sheknewfromexperiencethatifshewaitedlongenough,aflywouldcometoherweb;andshefeltsurethatifshethoughtlongenoughaboutWilbur’sproblem,anideawouldcometohermind.

           Finally,onemorningtowardthemiddleofJuly,theideacame."Why,howperfectlysimple!"shesaidtoherself."ThewaytosaveWilbur’slifeistoplayatrickonZuckerman.IfIcanfoolabug,"thoughtCharlotte,"Icansurelyfoolaman.Peoplearenotassmartasbugs."

           Wilburwalkedintohisyardjustatthatmoment.

           "Whatareyouthinkingabout,Charlotte?"heasked.

           "Iwasjustthinking,"saidthespider,"thatpeopleareverygullible."

           "Whatdoes’gullible’mean?"

           "Easytofool,"saidCharlotte.

           "That’samercy,"repliedWilbur,andhelaydownintheshadeofhisfenceandwentfastasleep.Thespider,however,stayedwideawake,gazingaffectionatelyathimandmakingplansforhisfuture.Summerwashalfgone.Sheknewshedidn’thavemuchtime.

           Thatmorning,justasWilburfellasleep,AveryArablewanderedintotheZuckerman’sfrontyard,followedbyFern.Averycarriedalivefroginhishand.Fernhadacrownofdaisiesinherhair.Thechildrenranforthekitchen.

           "Justintimeforapieceofblueberrypie,"saidMrs.Zuckerman.

           "Lookatmyfrog!"saidAvery,placingthefrogonthedrainboardandholdingouthishandforpie.