Charlotte’s Web Chapter 13 – Good Progress
Charlotte spends the next night on her new creation, a web that spells out “Terrific.” She decides to use her thick dry web strands instead of her sticky ones to form the letters so that bugs wouldn’t get caught in the message. The little spider gets so absorbed in her work that she talks out loud all night as she spins her web.
They all gather at Wilbur’s stall to look at the web in front of Wilbur who certainly felt terrific and puffed out his chest.
Word gets out and people come to see the terrific pig. Mr. Zuckerman tells Lurvy to not throw manure in the pen anymore. “I want that pig to have clean, bright straw every day for his bedding.”
Mr. Zuckerman also instructs Lurvy to make a crate for Wilbur so that he could take the pig to the Country fair. He told Lurvy to write “Zuckerman’s Famous Pig” on the side of the crate.
Meanwhile Templeton visits the farm garbage dump and comes back with an advertisement with the word “crunchy.” “Just the wrong idea,” said Charlotte. “Couldn’t be worse. We don’t’ want Zuckeman to think Wilbur is crunchy.”
Templeton, a little miffed, goes back to the trash and this time comes home with a clipping that reads “PRE-SHRUNK.” Charlotte tells him, nope not going to work, try again.
Templeton discouraged and tired of being wrong, decides to go to the barn to get some writing from a box of laundry flakes. He brings a slip that reads “With new radiant action” on it.
To confirm that the word Radiant might be appropriate for Wilbur, Charlotte asks him to run and do some jumps (even one with a half-twist.) “I’m not sure action is exactly radiant, but it’s interesting.” Charlotte replies. She decides that the word will do.
Wilbur is tired and lies down in the straw for a nap. However, finding the straw itchy, he moves it aside to get to the soft manure underneath.
Wilbur asks Charlotte to tell him a night-time story. Charlotte tells him about her cousin who caught a fish in his web and then she tells him about another cousin who makes balloons out of webbing and floats away. “I have some very remarkable cousins.”
Charlotte then sings a lullaby to Wilbur who falls asleep before she finishes.
Chapter 13 Lessons Learned
Charlotte is so focused on her work that she talks to herself through the night as she works.
Lesson Learned –. Not everyone who talks to themselves is crazy.
In the morning, after Lurvy discovers the new web message, the news is quickly spread.
Lesson Learned –. Never underestimate the power (both positive and negative) of the grapevine.
Charlotte rejects the words “Crunchy” and “Pre-shrunk.”
Lesson Learned: Words matter, use them carefully.
Charlotte tells Templeton twice that he has gotten the wrong words.
Lessons Learned: Be careful of how you criticize the job of people who work for you. Too much negative criticism might mean that your workers will give up before the job is done.
Charlotte asks Wilbur to perform in order to determine if he is “radiant.” After doing some tricks Wilbur tells her that he certainly feels radiant.
Lessons Learned: Behold the power of positive thinking. Believe it and you can become it.
Charlotte tells Wilbur stories about her cousins.
Lesson Learned: When you look closely, your relatives have made some remarkable contributions to the world. Appreciate what they have done.
Charlotte sings Wilbur to sleep with a lullaby.
Lesson Learned: Everyone who falls to sleep listening to a lullaby sleeps well.
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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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