Chapter 14

           ThenextdaywasSaturday.Fernstoodatthekitchensinkdryingthebreakfastdishesashermotherwashedthem.Mrs.Arableworkedsilently.ShehopedFernwouldgooutandplaywithotherchildren,insteadofheadingfortheZuckermans’barntositandwatchanimals.

           "CharlotteisthebeststorytellerIeverheard,"saidFern,pokingherdishtowelintoacerealbowl.

           "Fern,"saidhermothersternly,"youmustnotinventthings.Youknowspidersdon’ttellstories.Spiderscan’ttalk."

           "Charlottecan,"repliedFern."Shedoesn’ttalkveryloud,butshetalks."

           "Whatkindofstorydidshetell?"askedMrs.Arable.

           "Well,"beganFern,"shetoldusaboutacousinofherswhocaughtafishinherweb.Don’tyouthinkthat’sfascinating?"

           "Fern,dear,howwouldafishgetinaspider’sweb?"saidMrs.Arable."Youknowitcouldn’thappen.You’remakingthisup."

           "Oh,ithappenedallright,"repliedFern."Charlotteneverfibs.Thiscousinofhersbuiltawebacrossastream.Onedayshewashangingaroundonthewebandatinyfishleapedintotheairandgottangledintheweb.Thefishwascaughtbyonefin,Mother;itstailwaswildlythrashingandshininginthesun.Can’tyoujustseetheweb,saggingdangerouslyundertheweightofthefish?Charlotte’scousinkeptslippingin,dodgingout,andshewasbeatenmercilesslyovertheheadbythewildlythrashingfish,dancingin,dancingout,throwing…"

           "Fern!"snappedhermother."Stopit!Stopinventingthesewildtales!"

           "I’mnotinventing,"saidFern."I’mjusttellingyouthefacts.