Паутина Шарлотты

           Arablecutthemotor,gotout,walkedaroundtotherear,andloweredthetailgate.Thegeesecheered.Mrs.Arablegotoutofthetruck.FernandAveryjumpedtotheground.Mrs.Zuckermancamewalkingdownfromthehouse.EverybodylinedupatthefenceandstoodforamomentadmiringWilburandthebeautifulgreencrate.Nobodyrealizedthatthecratealreadycontainedaratandaspider.

           "That’ssomepig!"saidMrs.Arable.

           "He’sterrific,"saidLurvy.

           "He’sveryradiant,"saidFern,rememberingthedayhewasborn.

           "Well,"saidMrs.Zuckerman,"he’sclean,anyway.Thebuttermilkcertainlyhelped."

           Mr.ArablestudiedWilburcarefully."Yes,he’sawonderfulpig,"hesaid."It’shardtobelievethathewastheruntofthelitter.You’llgetsomeextragoodhamandbacon,Homer,whenitcomestimetokillthatpig."

           Wilburheardthesewordsandhisheartalmoststopped."IthinkI’mgoingtofaint,"hewhisperedtotheoldsheep,whowaswatching.

           "Kneeldown!"whisperedtheoldsheep."Letthebloodrushtoyourhead!"

           Wilbursanktohisknees,allradiancegone.Hiseyesclosed.

           "Look!"screamedFern."He’sfadingaway!"

           "Hey,watchme!"yelledAvery,crawlingonallfoursintothecrate."I’mapig!I’mapig!"

           Avery’sfoottouchedTempletonunderthestraw."Whatamess!"thoughttherat."Whatfantasticcreaturesboysare!WhydidIletmyselfinforthis?"

           ThegeesesawAveryinthecrateandcheered.

           "Avery,yougetoutofthatcratethisinstant!"commandedhismother."Whatdoyouthinkyouare?"

           "I’mapig!"criedAvery,tossinghandfulsofstrawintotheair.