Паутина Шарлотты

           Youknowhowheis-alwayslookingoutforhimself,neverthinkingoftheotherfellow."

           "IbetIcangethimtohelp,"saidtheoldsheep."I’llappealtohisbaserinstincts,ofwhichhehasplenty.Herehecomesnow.EverybodykeepquietwhileIputthematteruptohim!"

           Theratenteredthebarnthewayhealwaysdid-creepingalongclosetothewall.

           "What’sup?"heasked,seeingtheanimalsassembled.

           "We’reholdingadirectors’meeting,"repliedtheoldsheep.

           "Well,breakitup!"saidTempleton."Meetingsboreme."

           Andtheratbegantoclimbaropethathungagainstthewall.

           "Look,"saidtheoldsheep,"nexttimeyougotothedump,Templeton,bringbackaclippingfromamagazine.CharlotteneedsnewideassoshecanwritemessagesinherwebandsaveWilbur’slife."

           "Lethimdie,"saidtherat."Ishouldworry."

           "You’llworryallrightwhennextwintercomes,"saidthesheep."You’llworryallrightonazeromorningnextJanuarywhenWilburisdeadandnobodycomesdownherewithanicepailofwarmslopstopourintothetrough.Wilbur’sleftoverfoodisyourchiefsourceofsupply,Templeton.Youknowthat.Wilbur’sfoodisyourfood;thereforeWilbur’sdestinyandyourdestinyarecloselylinked.IfWilburiskilledandhistroughstandsemptydayafterday,you’llgrowsothinwecanlookrightthroughyourstomachandseeobjectsontheotherside."

           Templeton’swhiskersquivered.

           "Maybeyou’reright,"hesaidgruffly."I’mmakingatriptothedumptomorrowafternoon.I’llbringbackamagazineclippingifIcanfindone."

           "Thanks,"saidCharlotte