Charlotte's Web

Charlotte’s web is “stronger than it looks” (54), much like Charlotte herself. She rebuilds the damage done to her web daily, and Fern often sits and watches the magic unfold. On an otherwise normal day, Fern overhears a conversation between Wilbur and Charlotte in which Charlotte explains the reason for the hair on her legs and the names of each separate section of leg. Each of the seven sections on each of Charlotte’s eight legs is needed for the intricate movements required to spin a web, which Charlotte notes “takes real leg work” (56). Wilbur boasts that he could spin a web if he tried to, and Fern smiles with delight at the pig’s gumption and foolishness. Charlotte is happy to be entertained and instructs Wilbur on how to spin a web. He jumps onto the manure pile and dashes forward, expecting something to happen, but nothing does. Charlotte laughs, but Wilbur insists on trying again. He goes to find Templeton and asks him for a piece of string and help tying it to his tail. The rat obliges, hoping for some cheap laughs, and both Charlotte and Fern watch with fondness for the pig.