Паутина Шарлотты

           Inthehorsebarnyouwillfindoatsthatthetrottersandpacershavespilled.Inthetrampledgrassoftheinfieldyouwillfindolddiscardedlunchboxescontainingthefoulremainsofpeanutbuttersandwiches,hard-boiledeggs,crackercrumbs,bitsofdoughnuts,andparticlesofcheese.Inthehard-packeddirtofthemidway,aftertheglaringlightsareoutandthepeoplehavegonehometobed,youwillfindaveritabletreasureofpopcornfragments,frozencustarddribblings,candiedapplesabandonedbytiredchildren,sugarfluffcrystals,saltedalmonds,popsicles,partiallygnawedicecreamcones,andthewoodensticksoflollypops.Everywhereislootforarat-intents,inbooths,inhaylofts-why,afairhasenoughdisgustingleftoverfoodtosatisfyawholearmyofrats."Templeton’seyeswereblazing.

           "Isthistrue?"heasked."Isthisappetizingyarnofyourstrue?Ilikehighliving,andwhatyousaytemptsme."

           "Itistrue,"saidtheoldsheep."GototheFair,Templeton.Youwillfindthattheconditionsatafairwillsurpassyourwildestdreams.Bucketswithsourmashstickingtothem,tincanscontainingparticlesoftunafish,greasypaperbagsstuffedwithrotten…"

           "That’senough!"criedTempleton."Don’ttellmeanymore.I’mgoing."

           "Good,"saidCharlotte,winkingattheoldsheep."Nowthen-thereisnotimetobelost.Wilburwillsoonbeputintothecrate.TempletonandImustgetinthecraterightnowandhideourselves."

           Theratdidn’twasteaminute.Hescamperedovertothecrate,crawledbetweentheslats,andpulledstrawupoverhimsohewashiddenfromsight.