Read Online Charlotte's Web by E. B. White - Free Book Online Page A

verynicely,” said Charlotte. “I think ‘terrific’ might impress Zuckerman.”
    â€œBut Charlotte,” said Wilbur, “I’m not terrific.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make a particle of difference,” replied Charlotte. “Not a particle. People believe almost anything they see in print. Does anybody here know how to spell ‘terrific’?”
    â€œI think,” said the gander, “it’s tee double ee double rr double rr double eye double ff double eye double see see see see see.”
    â€œWhat kind of an acrobat do you think I am?” said Charlotte in disgust. “I would have to have St. Vitus’s Dance to weave a word like that into my web.”
    â€œSorry, sorry, sorry,” said the gander.
    Then the oldest sheep spoke up. “I agree that there should be something new written in the web if Wilbur’s life is to be saved. And if Charlotte needs help in finding words, I think she can get it from our friend Templeton. The rat visits the dump regularly and has access to old magazines. He can tear out bits of advertisements and bring them up here to the barn cellar, so that Charlotte can have something to copy.”
    â€œGood idea,” said Charlotte. “But I’m not sure Templeton will be willing to help. You know how he is—always looking out for himself, never thinking of the other fellow.”
    â€œI bet I can get him to help,” said the old sheep. “I’llappeal to his baser instincts, of which he has plenty. Here he comes now. Everybody keep quiet while I put the matter up to him!”
    The rat entered the barn the way he always did—creeping along close to the wall.
    â€œWhat’s up?” he asked, seeing the animals assembled.
    â€œWe’re holding a directors’ meeting,” replied the old sheep.
    â€œWell, break it up!” said Templeton. “Meetings bore me.” And the rat began to climb a rope that hung against the wall.
    â€œLook,” said the old sheep, “next time you go to the dump, Templeton, bring back a clipping from a magazine. Charlotte needs new ideas so she can write messages in her web and save Wilbur’s life.”
    â€œLet him die,” said the rat. “I should worry.”
    â€œYou’ll worry all right when next winter comes,” said the sheep. “You’ll worry all right on a zero morning next January when Wilbur is dead and nobody comes down here with a nice pail of warm slops to pour into the trough. Wilbur’s leftover food is your chief source of supply, Templeton. You know that. Wilbur’s food is your food; therefore Wilbur’s destiny and your destiny are closely linked. If Wilbur is killed and his trough stands empty day after day, you’ll grow so thin we can look right through your stomach and see objects on the other side.”
    Templeton’s whiskers quivered.
    â€œMaybe you’re right,” he said gruffly. “I’m making a trip to the dump tomorrow afternoon. I’ll bring back a magazine clipping if I can find one.”
    â€œThanks,” said Charlotte. “The meeting is now adjourned. I have a busy evening ahead of me. I’ve got to tear my web apart and write ‘Terrific.’”
    Wilbur blushed. “But I’m not terrific, Charlotte. I’m just about average for a pig.”
    â€œYou’re terrific as far as I’m concerned,” replied Charlotte, sweetly, “and that’s what counts. You’re my best friend, and I think you’re sensational. Now stop arguing and go get some sleep!”

XIII .      Good Progress
    F AR INTO the night, while the other creatures slept, Charlotte worked on her web. First she ripped out a few of the orb lines near the center. She left the radial lines alone, as they were needed for support. As she worked, her eight legs were a great help to her. So were her teeth. She loved to weave and she was