Паутина Шарлотты

           Fernbitintoaraspberrythathadabad-tastingbuginsideit,andgotdiscouraged.Averyfoundanemptycandyboxandputhisfroginit.Thefrogseemedtiredafterhismorningintheswing.Thechildrenwalkedslowlyuptowardthebarn.They,too,weretiredandhardlyhadenergyenoughtowalk.

           "Let’sbuildatreehouse,"suggestedAvery."Iwanttoliveinatree,withmyfrog."

           "I’mgoingtovisitWilbur,"Fernannounced.

           Theyclimbedthefenceintothelaneandwalkedlazilytowardthepigpen.Wilburheardthemcomingandgotup.

           Averynoticedthespiderweb,and,comingcloser,hesawCharlotte.

           "Hey,lookatthatbigspider!"hesaid."It’stremenjus."

           "Leaveitalone!"commandedFern."You’vegotafrog-isn’tthatenough?"

           "That’safinespiderandI’mgoingtocaptureit,"saidAvery.Hetookthecoveroffthecandybox.Thenhepickedupastick."I’mgoingtoknockthatol’spiderintothisbox,"hesaid.

           Wilbur’sheartalmoststoppedwhenhesawwhatwasgoingon.

           ThismightbetheendofCharlotteiftheboysucceededincatchingher.

           "Youstopit,Avery!"criedFern.

           Averyputonelegoverthefenceofthepigpen.HewasjustabouttoraisehissticktohitCharlottewhenhelosthisbalance.HeswayedandtoppledandlandedontheedgeofWilbur’strough.Thetroughtippedupandthencamedownwithaslap.Thegooseeggwasrightunderneath.Therewasadullexplosionastheeggbroke,andthenahorriblesmell.

           Fernscreamed.Averyjumpedtohisfeet.Theairwasfilledwiththeterriblegasesandsmellsfromtherottenegg.