Паутина Шарлотты

           HeknewitwasalmosttimefortheCountyFair,andhewaslookingforwardtothetrip.

           IfhecoulddistinguishhimselfattheFair,andmaybewinsomeprizemoney,hewassureZuckermanwouldlethimlive.

           Charlottehadworriesofherown,butshekeptquietaboutthem.OnemorningWilburaskedherabouttheFair.

           "You’regoingwithme,aren’tyou,,Charlotte?"hesaid

           "Well,Idon’tknow,"repliedCharlotte."TheFaircomesatabadtimeforme.Ishallfinditinconvenienttoleavehome,evenforafewdays."

           "Why?"askedWilbur.

           "Oh,Ijustdon’tfeellikeleavingmyweb.Toomuchgoingonaroundhere."

           "Pleasecomewithme!"beggedWilbur."Ineedyou,Charlotte.Ican’tstandgoingtotheFairwithoutyou.You’vejustgottocome."

           "No,"saidCharlotte,"IbelieveI’dbetterstayhomeandseeifIcan’tgetsomeworkdone."

           "Whatkindofwork?"askedWilbur.

           "Egglaying.It’stimeImadeaneggsacandfilleditwitheggs."

           "Ididn’tknowyoucouldlayeggs,"saidWilburinamazement.

           "Oh,sure,"saidthespider."I’mversatile."

           "Whatdoes’versatile’mean-fullofeggs?"askedWilbur.

           "Certainlynot,"saidCharlotte."’Versatile’meansIcanturnwitheasefromonethingtoanother.ItmeansIdon’thavetolimitmyactivitiestospinningandtrappingandstuntslikethat."

           "Whydon’tyoucomewithmetotheFairGroundsandlayyoureggsthere?"pleadedWilbur."Itwouldbewonderfulfun."

           Charlottegaveherwebatwitchandmoodilywatcheditsway.

           "I’mafraidnot,"shesaid."Youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutegglaying,Wilbur