Charlotte’s Web – Chapter 7 Bad News
Over time Wilbur likes Charlotte more and more and even tolerates her killing and eating insects. He is especially impressed that she anesthetizes them before she kills them – a “little service” she throws in.
One day a sheep walks by the barn. “Hello” she said. “seems to me you’re putting on weight.”
Wilbur takes it as a compliment. At his age it’s a good idea to keep gaining.
“You know why they’re fattening you up, right?” asks the sheep who then goes on to tell Wibur that once truly fatten-up, he will be killed. The sheep tells Wilbur that there is a regular conspiracy of murder in the barn around the holidays.
When it’s time everyone comes together to shoot and prepare the yearly pig.
Upset, Wilbur asks Charlotte if the information is true.
Well, she tells him, the sheep has been in the barn for many years and has seen a lot of things, the story must be true. But, she adds “It’s also the dirtiest Trick I ever heard of.”
Wilbur cries that he doesn’t want to die. He wants to stay in his comfortable manure pile with all his friends breaing the beautiful air and lying in the beautiful sun.
“You shall not die” declares Charlotte.
“How?” asks Wilbur.
“That remains to be seen. But do stop crying.”
Chapter 7 Lessons Learned
Overtime, Wilbur and Charlotte become friends. He overlooks her objectionable eating habits and she’s very patient when Wilber cries.
Lesson Learned – Friendships take time. The longer you are with someone the more you know about them and the more tolerant and compassionate you become with regard to their behavior.
Wilbur is proud of his weight and thinks that one should put on weight as one gets older.
Lesson Learned –Whether you are a pig or a person, too much weight is going to kill you.
Wilbur hears that he’s going to be killed and he starts crying.
Lesson Learned –It’s okay to cry if you hear bad news.
Charlotte decides that she’s going to help Wilbur. She doesn’t know how she’s going to do it, but she’s going to try her best. She gets Wilbur to calm down.
Lesson Learned –A good friend is priceless.
Bonus Lesson – A good friend will tell you when to stop.
Bonus Lesson – Even when things look bleak, never give up. There is always, always hope.
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Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
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