爱华网推荐《夏洛的网》电影作为英语学习素材（附打印版字幕）
上次向大家推荐了《夏洛的网》这本傲居“美国最伟大的十部儿童文学名著”第一位的图书，今天向大家推荐《夏洛的网》这部电影。这部电影忠于原著，可以和图书一起学习。不过这部电影还没有中文版，不过这样很好，正适合作英语学习的素材。这部电影词汇简单，句子简短，内容浅显，适合儿童学习，也适合英语基本一般的成年人。
为了大家学习方便，我编了个小程序，把其中的字幕单独取出，供大家打印学习。电影可以到我的公共邮箱freepaper@sina.cn的文件中心下载，密码freepaper。
张文珏爸爸：张贵平
2011年4月23日
Charlotte’s Web (the Movie)
There was nothing special about Somerset County.It was a deeply ordinary place. No astonishing thing ever happenedthere. The people who lived there were just regular people. And theanimals... Well, they were just plain old animals. They didn'tquestion the order of things. So, the days passed, one very muchlike the other. But, one spring, on a small farm, a little girl didsomething, something that would change everything. What are youdoing? Fern, go back to bed. You're not going to kill it, are you?It's a runt. Now, go back to bed. No, it's not fair! It can't helpbeing born small. Careful. If I'd been born small, would you havekilled me? Of course not. A little girl is one thing. A runty pigis another. There's no difference! This is unfair and unjust. Howcould you be so heartless? Come here. I want to show you something.You see that? You see? There's 11 pigs and only 10 teats. Sow can'tfeed it, honey. Then I will. I'll feed you and take care of youand... ...absolutely will not let you kill him. - Hey! When didFern get a pig? - Avery, it's rude to point. Give me that. Come,sit, eat your breakfast. The bus will be here any minute. Goodmorning. Hey, Pop, can I have a pig, too? No. I only give pigs toearly risers. Fern was up before dawn, ridding the world ofinjustice. Fern, put that pig down and get to school. Avery. - Seeya. - Bye, Pop. Have a good one, buddy. Says here we're gonna get alot of rain this month. Fern! Your books! Bye. Class, these aresome of the questions that you're likely to be asked in the examthis week. So, please take particular note of every one. You got tobe quiet, okay? You're gonna get me in trouble. Drink that. So,it's just a matter of following these questions and learning theanswers. Fern, what's going on? Nothing. Fern, what's in your desk?- Nothing. - Open it. Thank you, Mrs. Arable. Fern, you knowbetter. It's a pig, okay? It's not a toy, not a doll, not a baby. Apig. And you need to start treating it like one. This is going toofar. I know she loves animals, but you have to tell her. - I know.She's just so happy with it. - I know. Doesrt that feel good? Fern,I'm really sorry, honey, but it's been long enough. What? Look,he's not a baby anymore. I can't have you keeping what will soon bea 300-pound pet around the house. No. Can't he stay in the barn?Please, Dad? - No. - Please? No. Fern, look. You know I've beenselling the animals to get the new harvesting equipment. Prettysoon there's gonna be no place in the barn for a pig. I promisedI'd take care of him. Well, I'm letting you out of your promise. Ididn't promise you. I promised Wilbur. What about Homer? He hasanimals. Uncle Homer? I'm sure he could make room for a pig. Yeah.He'd be right across the road. Go to sleep, my little one The sunhas said goodbye for now The moon shines on your beautiful face Mymom used to sing that to me to make me feel safe. Good night,Wilbur. Fern had walked across the road to her uncle's barnhundreds of times before, but it had never felt so far away. It wasjust a big red barn full of typical stuff. Come to think of it, itcouldn't have been more ordinary. But sometimes, when you take twoordinary things and put them together at just the right time,there's a chance they'll become two less ordinary things. Thatrunty pig, for instance, and that big old smelly barn. One sniff,and you knew it was a place full of living things. But that didn'tnecessarily mean it was full of life. It's okay. It's okay. Nope.For that, this barn needed a pig. This isn't so bad. Only no oneknew it yet. Don't be afraid. You'll be okay. I'll come see youevery day. I'll be around so much you'll be sick of me. I love you.Avery, the bus is here! - Did you remember your sister's lunch? -Got it! What the hay? - What's he doing? - Probably-obablysomething smart. - Pigs are smart. - Pigs are not smart!Apparently, they're as intelligent as dolphins. Advantage dolphin.- He's going to knock himself out. - Yeah! That's using your head!How many times is he going to try that? - Pig's out! - I told youpigs are smart. That's going to leave a mark. - Oh, look, Bits.Pig's out. - Sure is out. Out of his mind! Homer! Lurvy! - Pig'sout! - Pig's out, pig's out, pig's out! - How about you walk alittle faster? - Wait your turn! Wait! Wait! Fern, come back! Justrun! Run, pig! Be free! I would if I could. Retreat! - Retreat! -Don't retreat, pig! Giddyup! - Oh, no! Not the smokehouse! - No!Not the smokehouse! - Is he looking? - Yeah, he's seen it. - Thinkhe knows what it is? - Of course not. He's a spring pig. He doesn'tknow anything. Here, pig, pig, pig! Don't fall for it. You're out.And you're back in. Here you go, piggy. Attaboy. Eat it up. Soldout for slop. I'd have been to the county line by now. He'd havemade it if you'd have just let me talk. - Made it to where? He's apig! - He's a pig. Sorry I made such a fuss. Your suggestions werereally good, but I think I'd better stay here. Ferrs going to beback soon, anyway. He's just stupid as a stick, poor thing. -Should we speak to him? - Certainly not! Certainly not. Sweetheart,it sounded-ounded almost like you said you'd run and be free if youcould. I meant if I were a pig. You know what happens to pigsaround here. Yes, I do. And it should never, ever be spoken of. I'mgonna miss you today. See you when I get back, okay? All right, Igotta go, okay? See you later. Bye. Goodbye, Fern. Hurry back. Hi.My name's Wilbur. Anyone want to play? Anyone? It's raining, youknow. And you know what you get with rain? - Lightning. - Typhoons.- Cholera. - Dysentery. - Frizzy hair. - That sad feeling. No, mud!What the heck is he doing now? Hey, come on. You wanna join me?Come on! Let's go! Let's go, let's go, let's go! Let's not. Howmany times must I tell you? Just because we're sheep, it doesn'tmean we have to follow. Think for yourselves. - Yourselves. Quiteright! - Look at me! - No, no, no. Yourselves. - Myself? Hey, kid,this is a barn. We don't play, we work. - Some of us, anyway. -"Some of us"? Are you implying, lke, that we don't work? Because wework bloody hard, thank you! Hard? You grow hair! "Grow hair." Goodone! Excuse me. And is that your contribution to society, you gassyrib eyes? Filthy hairball! - Rib eyes! - Dirty lintball! Zip it. -They're at it again. - Rib eyes! Rib eyes! It's really slippery.That's the fun part! Little itty-bitty pig, could you come here,please? You said your name is Wilbur, right? That's right. What'syour name? - Gussy. - Gussy? - Great name! - Thank you, Wilbur.Now, you're so cute and pink, but you're wasting your time. Theseanimals won't play. - What about you? - Me? Well, I have to stay onmy eggs. Oh, wow! Look at that! Otherwise, of course, I'd love toplay. So, why can't you play? Because what's good for the goose isgood for the gander. What about the rest of you? Don't any of youlike to play? Can't play on three empty stomachs. Well, for usthere's this whole smell-of-wet-wool business. Ghastly! See? I'mafraid it's just not a play kind of place. But you're all friends,right? Sure. We've been here together our whole lives. I'm not sosure being in the same place is the same as being friends. I'm nothungry. I just wanted someone to play with me. What's that? Whatis... Could it be? Slops! Oh, joy. It seems the pig slop hasbrought out the rodent. Moldy cheese. Oh, yeah. Did I have salamilast night? Yep. I guess I did. - Oh, charming. - Disgustingcreature! Hi, there. Oh, you're a pig. You're a pig. Pig equalsslop. The rat is happy. My name's Wilbur. Do you have a name? Or isit just "the rat"? Did you say "just the rat"? For yourinformation, pig, the rat rules. We were here long before yourkind, and we'll be here long after. So, you just keep that in mindnext time you feel like reducing me to "just the rat." You calledyourself "the rat." I can call me that. You can't. So you don'thave a name? Of course I do. It's Templeton. Templeton? Great name!- Oh, gee, thanks. - Hey! You want to play, Templeton? For so manyreasons, no. See, I don't play. I gnaw, I spy, I eat, I hide. Me ina nutshell. Couldrt you just stay and chat? Chat? Let me see. Gnaw,spy, eat, hide. Nope, "chat" ain't on the list. The rat ishandsome. Tonight I dream of slop! Fern, you are not going to seethat pig again. It's too late. But he's expecting me! And I'mexpecting you to finish your homework and go straight to bed. But,Mom, I always tell him good night! - Not tonight. - He can't sleepif I don't. Good night. Good night. Good night! Good night. Huh?Who said that? Who are you? Where are you? Are you invisible? No,I'm nocturnal, which means I work at night, when you should besleeping. Now, I need to concentrate, so, good night. But I can'tsleep now! Please, tell me who you are. I'm just really lonely. SoI've seen. Look, you seem like a very nice pig, so I'll tell youwhat. If you go to sleep right now and let me work, we can conversetomorrow. - Converse? - I think your word was "chat." Oh. Great!All right. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Okay, hestill hasn't moved. We've been here one, wait, two... We've beenhere a long time, Elwyn, and that guy ain't moving! He's like afreak of nature. I'm dying, man. I've got to get some corn! I know,Brooksie. Just be patient. Come on. Come on. Just a little further.Okay, it's morning! - Hey, Bits, I wasrt drooling, was I? - Suck itup, Bets. Would whoever addressed me last night kindly makeyourself known? What luck! An early riser, and he has things heneeds to say. Yeah, loud things. I'm speaking to whoever spoke tome last night. I suppose that would be me. Okay. - I can't see you.- Up here, in the corner. The other corner. I'm sorry. I stillcan't see you. Move a little closer. I'll come down. Hi. You'rea... Look, I've got a long day ahead of me and I'm trying to get alittle... Spider! Spider! Get it away from me! Get it away! Get itaway! All right, keep your distance there. - That thing is creepy.- Golly! You're not being rude, are you? No, no, no. I meant"creepy" in a nice way. You know, creepy good. Disgusting! - Theyeat their menfolk, you know. - I know! Well? Still want to chat, orare you gonna join them? I've never met a spider before. Did youmake that? Is that what you were concentrating on last night? -Yes. - It's amazing. Think you could teach me how to make one ofthose? Hold that thought, please. - What are you doing? - Makingbreakfast. - Oh, boy. - Relax. First, I give him a little nip toanesthetize him, so he'll be more comfortable. It's a littleservice I throw in. Then I wrap him up. Then I just say gracebecause, well, that's always nice, and he'll make a perfectlydelicious meal. So, you eat flies? No, no, no. I drink their blood.- Lying down on the job, eh? - Fainted like a girl. That'sdisgusting. Well, that's easy for you to say. You have all yourmeals brought to you in a pail. I don't get that kind of royaltreatment. I am a trapper. I have to catch my food. Which is why Imake my home near you. - Please don't hurt me. - Well, since yousaid "please." And just imagine how many bugs there would be inthis barn, no, actually, in the world, if spiders didn't catchthem. Insects would take over the planet! The way I see it, I'mdoing everyone a favor. Except for the fly. Yes. Except for thefly. I think now is the time for me to say salutations. What?Salutations. Okay. I'll leave. No, Wilbur. "Salutations" is just afancy way of saying hello. Oh! Hello. Hey, you know my name! What'syours? My name? My name is Charlotte. Charlotte A. Cavatica.Charlotte. Great name! Thank you. I've always thought so. Hey,since you've said... You know, that word, does that mean we'refriends? I suppose it does. Yeah! Golly, go see what's going-oingon over there. What's going-oing... Hey, kid, what's going on overhere? Oh, sorry. I just made a new friend, that's all. The spider.Oh, yeah. Good choice. Yeah, perfect. You picked someone even moredespised than me. Why would anyone despise Charlotte? She made thatamazing web, and she keeps bugs out of the barn. Look at her. Imean, don't you think she's a little... What's the word? I thinkshe's beautiful. I beg your pardon. She is hideous! Are we evenseeing the same ruddy creature? I guess not. Hopeless. What a sorrylittle friendship that's going to be. There's an old expressionthat says that ignorance is bliss, and I'm inclined to believe it'strue, because, on that late spring day, Wilbur was as happy as apig could be. And those spring days rolled into summer days, daysfilled with endless conversation between the two unlikeliest offriends. Charlotte, what's a spring pig? A pig who was born in thespring. Oh. And I thought it meant bouncy. That would be a springypig. "After Mrs. Mallard had laid eight eggs in the nest, "shecouldn't go to visit Michael anymore, "because she had to sit onthe eggs to keep them warm. "She moved off the nest only to get adrink of water, or to have her lunch, "or to count the eggs andmake sure they were all there. "One day, the ducklings hatched out.First came Jack, then Kack..." Yeah! Yeah! This is going to begreat! - Wilbur, what on earth are you doing? - You'll see. Thatfeels marvelous! Yes, over to the left a bit. Ah, yes. Is that abreeze I feel? I'm 10 pounds lighter! - I'm next! - I'm next! - I'mnext! - I'm next, too! - Looking pretty good, huh? - Sure is. Hi,there. Are you new to the barn? I'm Wilbur. Wilbur, it's me. Me?Great name! No, me. Me! Samuel! The sheep! Wow! What happened toyou? The world's first pig web! Ta-da! I think you'd better leavethe web-spinning to me. After weeks and weeks, and I'm talkingabout some long weeks of waiting and expecting, all the hard workhas finally paid off. Wow! Look at them! They were eggs, and nowthey're... They're just... Look at them! Wow, Gussy, you did areally terrific job! They don't call me Mother Goose for nothing.Congratulations. Would you look at that! Yes, thank you, thank you!It wasrt easy, but I managed. You managed? I'm kidding, honey. Wemanaged. Six, seven. Werert there eight eggs? Could this be a dud?Golly! Golly! - Golly! - Whoa! Whoa, there, Father Goose! I'm justtrying to help the happy couple. What do you want with a rottenegg, anyway? I want a rotten egg for the simple reason that... Younever know. This one didn't make it. I think we have to let it go.Oh, take it! And add it to that nasty-asty collection of yours.Last one out is a rotten egg! - Well, I thought it was funny. - Ishould have pecked him! Don't you break that egg, rat. A brokenrotten egg would make this barn stink to high heaven. That would bea change. Why are you laughing, Bits? He just said we stink. Oh,yeah. This is good. This will come in handy. You really are ahandsome devil. Oh, boy. Egg-xactly! Saw a big old spider in thedoorway! Gonna go catch it! No, Avery! Come back here! - Here,spidey-spidey. - You can't do that! Stop! - Gotcha! - No, no,Avery! Wilbur, no! Come on, Wilbur, get off! Wilbur, Wilbur, whydid you do that? Avery! No! That stinks! Oh, that is gross. Man, isthat you? No. I smell a smell, though. Think it's scary guy? - He'strying to stink us away from the... - Corn! Guess the yolk's on me.That is one ripe egg. That stinks good! That is disgusting! - Wetold you not to break that egg. - Now look what you've done, rat!It saved Charlotte, didn't it? Yeah, ingrates. I saved the leggylady's life. - You mean that as a good thing, right? - Of course. Ido have a few eyes, you know, and I think Wilbur did most of thesaving. I know. Ironic, isn't it? He's saving you, and they'resaving him for Christmas. Templeton! What's Christmas? The dayyou'll be cured. But I'm not sick. I didn't say you were sick. -Uh-oh. That was a mistake. - Yep. Typical rat. What? You're goingto lie to the future football here? Okay. But it's a sad statementwhen I'm the most honest guy in the place. Templeton, what are youtalking about? Come winter, the farmer will be checking you intothe old smokehouse hotel. And the only checking out that happens iswhen people gather around and say, "Check out that yummy sausage."Check out that sizzling bacon." So, that's what that is for. Ain'tfor roasting chestnuts. He wouldn't. Humans love pigs. Well, theylove pork. Well, this is awkward, isn't it? Charlotte! Charlotte,is it true? Wilbur, few spring pigs get to see the snows of winter.No! I can't believe this. I won't believe it. - Oh, Wilbur. - Itisn't fair! - I want to live! I want to see the snow! - And youwill. I'm making you a promise right now. I am not going to letthem kill you. You're a spider. You're little. They're huge! Howare you going to stop them? I have no idea. But it's a promise, andpromises are something I never break. Just don't you worry aboutit, Wilbur. Besides, it's a long time until Christmas. Okay,Charlotte. If you say so. - Dad? - Yeah. Can I walk home? Ipromised Wilbur I'd be there right away. - Sure. That's fine withme. - Thanks. Fern, wait! Why don't you go to the Whites' or theSergeants' today and play? - Or you could have someone over. - Why?Because you're spending too much time in that barn. It isn't goodfor you to be alone so much. Alone? All my best friends are there.- Except the rat. - The rat? I wouldn't call him my friend, but therest of them are. They tell the greatest stories. They make melaugh. And I promised them I'd read 'em this book, so I got to go.Bye! Dr. Dorian, it's ridiculous, isn't it? To think that animalscan actually talk? I don't know. Maybe an animal said something tome and I didn't hear it because I wasrt paying attention. Maybechildren are just better listeners than we are. Well, it worries meto no end. What's got you worried is that her only friends arepigs, sheep, geese and rats. Well, not rats. No. - Does she lookwell? - Yes. Appetite's good? - Does she sleep well at night? -Yes. I mean, she's right as rain in that way. Well, there is a namefor her condition. It's called a childhood phase. And, sadly, it'ssomething she'll grow out of. Charlotte, what are you doing?Thinking. I do my best thinking upside down. Blood goes to my headand perks me up. I've been thinking, too, you know, aboutChristmas. Don't worry, Wilbur. We'll figure something out. Comeon, lke. Come on. Not to be too much trouble, but have you figuredsomething out? Not yet, but it's like a web. You make it, you wait,and something always comes. Good night, Charlotte. Good night,Wilbur. And swing. And stick. And loop. And back up, stick, and...Mr. Zuckerman! Okay, you gotta come see this. Come on, Homer! Comeon! - What's a "so me pig"? - It's "some pig." It's a miracle. It'snothing short of a bona fide miracle. Minister Beecher? Homer.Edith. What brings you here? Divinity? We think so. We'd betterkeep this quiet until I address it in my sermon. You can't tell asoul, but you gotta come up to the barn. Keep it between me andyou. - Swing by the farm. - Okay. Goodbye. Now, don't tell nobody.Shouldrt get around. There's a word in a spider web at Zuckermarsbarn. Charlotte, what does a "some pig" do? This isn't for what youdo. It's for what you are. Some pigs might smile a bit. The liftingof the head, nice touch! As ugly as that spider is, we should haveknown she was smart. So, you don't believe that someone might besmart and pretty? No. Yes! I mean, yes, because you are. Cleverlittle spider, isn't she? Where's the spider who did this? Well, welooked all over and couldn't find one. Looks pretty good. Stillain't gonna change anything. He's a goner. Yeah. Glad nobody eatscows. - Got to admit, that's a fine-looking pig. - Yep, that's somepig, all right. After a few weeks, the phenomenon of the web woreoff. Nobody cared anymore, and what was amazing yesterday wassuddenly ordinary again today. It looked like Wilbur might not seesnow after all. Excuse me, but why are we here? I mean, yes, barnmeeting and so on and so forth. I understand that. But must thisconcern us? And at such an ungodly hour! You know, Wilbur's not theonly one who could end up being Christmas dinner with an apple inhis mouth. Good point. Yes. Carry on, then. Ike, this involvesevery one of us. I just have trouble looking at you. That's all.This isn't about me. It's about Wilbur. And, for the record, myview of you is not exactly a treat, either. As we have all seen,humans have very short attention spans, and there's just too muchtime between now and Christmas. Certainly enough time for Zuckermanto find his affection for a pig losing out to his hunger for ham. -That spider can talk! - Yeah. What did she say, exactly? She saidthe farmer might possibly still slaughter the pig. Sorry, old chap,but it is a common fate for your ilk. I could just bust through thefence again. No. Once was enough for that. I just have to get theright word written. Something that makes Wilbur so special thatZuckerman will never think about killing him again. You needsomething snappy, like "pig supreme." That sounds like a dessert.So, what's the point, anyway? It won't work. Could you please, justonce, say something-omething positive? Okay. I'm positive it won'twork. How about "harmoniously proportioned"? - Harmoniouslyproportioned, yes! - Stop that! You're following again. Please, allof you! What's the perfect word for Wilbur? How about "delicious"?Or "nutritious"? Or "extra crispy"? How about... - Did you get him?- Yep. Bull's-eye. How about "terrific, terrific, terrific"? Good.Much too long, though. I've only got so much web. But one"terrific" might work. It simply isn't true. The pig is notterrific. Look at him! He's absolutely average. If you wish to betruthful, then that is the word you should write. "Average."Wilbur, this only works if the word I write is true. And only youcan tell us which word that is. So look around. We've all gatheredaround to help you. Now tell everyone how you feel. Look, there's ared one! And a blue one! Avery! You'll never catch me! I'm going toget you! Look at the fireworks, Mom! Avery, come on if you everwant to catch me! This web thing is really paying off. Mr.Zuckerman! There it is, side to side, right in the same place."Terrific." It was the most amazing thing! Last time we hadhundreds of people. This time it's going to be thousands! It says"terrific" just as clear as day. T-E-double-R-l-F-l-C. I mean, canyou imagine a spider being able to spell that word? I don't think Icould spell that word till the 10th grade. - Fifty cents. - Do youlike that one, sir? That's going to be $1. - Wow! - Gather 'round,folks! Remember, you saw it right here at Zuckermars. And, beforeyou leave, don't forget to take some of our berries home with you!- So, you think this might work? - Nope. Dare I say it? He looks"terrific." Look at them all! Yeah. Smile pretty. I wish geese hadteeth. Been down here since dawn... What are you suggesting? ThatFern has something to do with all this? How else could those wordshave gotten into that web? I know everyone is saying it's some kindof miracle, but... But what? You don't think it is? Do you? The webitself is a miracle. Wouldrt you agree? Well, can you spin one? - Ican crochet a doily. - Because someone taught you how. Nobodyteaches a spider. They just know how to spin a web. Don't you thinkthat's a miracle? As summer ended, so did the excitement about theweb. Charlotte needed to think of something special. Special enoughto change the way people saw the world, or at least one pig in theworld, anyway. The truth is, Charlotte feared she would never finda word that could do all that. And she had to hurry. Time wasrunning out for her. But once a promise is made, it needs to bekept. - Still no web, huh? - Nope. I haven't seen one in, I'd say,at least a month. Funny how you get used to all those people beingaround the place. Kind of quiet without them, isn't it? I noticedthe hinge pirs busted on the damper in the smokehouse. Want me toorder a new one? Suppose you better. That's a special order. Betterget a jump on that if we're going to smoke any ham before theholidays. We may need another cord of wood, too. I'm just going tothrow this out here one more time. "Pig supreme." Oh, Golly! Nowyou're just beating a dead horse. - Hey! - Sorry. Look, I don'tcome across many words in the field, other than "Hyah!" or"Giddyup!" But that rat's always dragging in trash with writing onit. I agree. It's about time Templeton started pulling his weightaround here instead of just eating it. I bet he could bring us somechoice words. I've got a choice word for you. A little word called,"Uh-uh." Well, that's two words. And here's a few more. Negative.No way. Nothing doing. I ain't breaking my back to try and save"some pig," no matter how "terrific" you think the little lunchmeat is. You'll sing a different tune when he's gone and nobodybrings around those scrumptious buckets of slop. And three, two...Cue the rat! Let's get one thing straight. I don't care about thepig. - What I care about is the slop. - Of course. And since I'llbe at the dump anyway, and it won't take any extra effort, maybe,maybe I'll pick something up. You're very kind. Don't go spreadingit around. What? What do you want? You'll need your strength.Thanks. But, Dad, I heard them. I heard them talking about thesmokehouse! He's not your pig anymore. Well, I wouldn't have soldhim in the first place if I knew this is what they were gonna do tohim. That's what happens to a pig on a farm, Fern. You know that.I'll see about that. I've got maybe two, three years before she canout-argue me. Then I'm doomed. And members of our own 4-H Club willhave the opportunity to enter livestock and poultry in thecompetition. So, in addition to the rides and games, make sure youshow them your support, as well. Any questions? Rita. Miss Lewis,can I bring my chickens? Your chickens, I'm sure. Pigs, chickens,horses and cows. You certainly can, and I hope you win first prize.How can he be in every cornfield? It can't be the same guy. Itcan't be! He's wearing the same hat. I'm telling you, he isfollowing us! I hate that guy. I have got to get some corn, Elwyn!All right! All right! All right! This is crazy. - There's two ofus, right? - Yeah. Trust me, there's two of us, and there's onlyone of him. I don't know, man. He scares me. He really does. - Justthink about that corn. Corn. - Yeah. - The corn. - Corn. - Allright, let's do it! - Let's do it! Let's do it! - Abort! Abort!Abort! - Abort! Abort! Abort! Man, he is good! I bet he's laughingat us. Don't look at him! Don't even give him the satisfaction.Just think about something else. - Think about something else. -Anything. I think I see a rat. - That's good. - No, really, I see arat. The rat is stealthy. The rat is nimble. The rat is on the...whoa! The rat is losing his touch. - You want to go mess with him?- Oh, yeah! I've got to peck something. Rat on three. One, two,three! The rat has been spotted! The rat is not enjoying this! Allthis for slop? The rat is desperate. The rat is trapped. The ratneeds to stop calling himself "the rat." "Find some words." Yeah,right, the rat will never find words! Hey, look. Words. - Hey, ishe still in the can? - He's in the can? Maybe we should give himsome privacy. Always helps me out. No, no, genius, not that can.Where did he go? I can't see him. All I see is that fruit moving. -What fruit? - The fruit with the tail! They'll never get me now. -Let's go get him! - Go get him! The rat rules! - We're pink! - Hey,what the... Pink? But that's all right, isn't it? I mean, blackpretty much goes with everything. No, it's not all right. That ratis going to pay! "Radiant." - This might just work. - Might? Oh,for the love of Lucy! Here it comes. It did this yesterday. Lookthat way, everyone! Right towards that cloud! Good gracious. Has italways done that? No, it can't have. - Brilliant! Absolutelybrilliant! - Wow! Oh, yes. This word will work quite nicely. Thenmy work is done. And now for the fruits of my labor. And thevegetables! And the gravy! All right, now. "R." And stick. Andloop. And... Come on, Charlotte, you can do this. Don't slow downyet. Welcome to Zuckermars! Thank you all for coming. Well, the websays it better than I ever could. That is some terrific, radiantpig! And for that reason, I've decided to enter Wilbur into thecounty fair. Did you hear what they said, Charlotte? I'm going tothe fair! Going to the fair! Wilbur might just see Christmas afterall. Is it good? Did we do it? Yes, Wilbur. It's very good. Now,smile. The fair, Homer? What's gotten into you? I don't know, Sis.It just come to me. He's a runt, Homer. He doesn't stand a chance.Well done! Never had a doubt! That spider did a heck of a job.She's a hard worker. Thank you, Charlotte. You should take a littlebow. And have my beauty steal the show? Now, go on and show themwhat a radiant pig can do. What do you mean you're not going to thefair? I'm going to get a prize. Don't you want to be there? Ofcourse I do, Wilbur, very much. I'm just not up to traveling at themoment. - Why not? - Because I'm expecting. Expecting what?"Expecting" means... I'm expecting you to do fine without me.You're getting to be a big pig, and you'll do just great on yourown. Okay. I'll miss you. Come on, Homer, up and at 'em. It's thebig day. - Fern? - Mom! I'm not wearing that. What the heck is shedoing? Bathed in buttermilk. I've had this dream. I've got to sayhe really is some pig. That's my buttermilk working. You sure youwant to go through with this, Homer? If you lose, you're out yourentry fee. He could win, though. Stranger things have beenhappening around here. If he doesn't win, though? Well, the way Ifigure it, even if he does lose, I can make it all back on thebacon alone. Wilbur! Wilbur! Do something, Homer. - What happened?- I don't know. He just fainted. It's all right, hon. - Lurvy, getsome water! - It's okay, Wilbur. Charlotte, are you feeling-eelingokay? Why is it so hard for that farmer to see what is right infront of his face? Look what Wilbur has done for this farm. Isn'tthat better than ham? Well, there's only one thing to do, and Ihave to be there to do it. Charlotte, you have your babies to thinkabout now. Yes, I know. But I made a promise to my friend. A bigblue ribbon ought to finally get the point through that farmer'shead. - Easy, Lurvy. Easy. - Coming through! Coming through! Herewe go! - There we go. - He's up. Okay, let's see if he'll get inthe crate. - Buttermilk. - Templeton? I need you to go with me.We'll have to find another word, a really good one. Sorry, lady.Comes a time when the rat's got to ask himself, "What's in it forthe rat?" - He's right. We've been to the fair. - We have?Remember? All that garbage there? Oh, yeah! It's littered withhunks of chewed-on funnel cakes... How's that? And dribs of icecream going sour in the sun. And spitty little cotton candy bitsground into the mud. Popcorn, moldy cheese, half-eaten sandwichesand sticky-icky-icky candy apples. Wait! Go back to the moldycheese thing. I've never seen so much disgusting trash! Come on,Wilbur. Good boy. Don't hurt him, Dad! Nearly made me gag, thestink of it, especially that deviled egg. You better hurry up, rat.They're gonna leave you! Wait for me! - Nice and easy. - Come on,Wilbur. Good boy. More food than you'll see in a lifetime! - Bye,Aunt Edith! - Bye. Bye, Fern! Bye, Avery! See you at the fair,guys! Hey, it worked! I think we milked it a little there at theend, though. All right. All right, John, I'll see you over there!Charlotte, you're coming with me! I wouldn't miss it for the world.Thank you for coming. - Good luck, Wilbur! Win that ribbon! - Goget 'em, Wilbur! We're going to the fair! Going to the fair! Goingto the fair! - I'm going on the bumper cars. - So fun! The signlooks good, Homer. Nice and even. All right, there we go. There yougo, Wilbur. Okay, where's the filth? Have you heard that goodthings come to those who wait? No, good things come to those whofind it and shove it in their mouth. Don't think I don't know,Fern, that we're all here because a determined little girl made apromise to a pig. - Wilbur. - Sorry. I mean Wilbur. I'm proud ofyou, honey. Thanks. Fern? Avery? I'm going to give you each 10tickets to do as you like out there. And you have to make them lastall day, so don't go spending them all at once. Okay? - Wow! - Allright! - I'll be right back. Okay. - Come on! You're going to winthe prize tomorrow. I know it. - Everything will be all right. -Fern, let's go! Okay. Oh, my. Is that what we're up against? Excuseme. What is your name? When someone wants to get your attention,what is it they call out? Uncle. Tell me, Uncle, what is the dateof your birth? Your birthday? For heavers sake, all I want to knowis if you're a spring pig. Of course. What did you think I was? Aspring chicken? Huge and humorous. Arert we talented! Springchicken. Charlotte, who are you talking to? - The pig next door. -Should I be worried? Of course not. What good would that do? Whoa!Have you seen the beast next door? I think his mama was part hippo.If I had to name five of the fattest pigs I've ever seen, he'd bethree of them. He's a shoo-in. Please. That pig is not nearly ashandsome as Wilbur, or as harmoniously proportioned, - and notnearly as clean. - There's a real tiebreaker. We just have to provethat the finest pig is not necessarily the fattest. And you can doyour part, Wilbur, by getting some rest. - I'm not tired,Charlotte. - Okay. Well, could you excuse me for just a minute,please? All right, Templeton, you're right. That pig over there isa shoo-in. So, I need words that are even better than that pig isfat. Special words, and lots of them. How about "pushy" and"demanding"? Templeton, please! This is our last chance to saveWilbur's life. You do realize I'm just here for the food, right? Ofcourse. Enjoy the ride. One, please. Must be in the other pocket.Sorry. - One second. - All right. Two, please. Is that Fern upthere? Well, I'll be. - She's with a boy. - She is! She's with aboy! Oh, no. She's with a boy. Manna from heaven! I don't know whatthis is, but I love it! One-stop slopping. All right. Let's go getthe spider off my back. How come I'm not in a cornfield, Elwyn? Howcome? Hey, hey. They got all kinds of corn right here. You got yourpopcorn, caramel corn, candy corn. Stop torturing me! I'm starvinghere, and now I'm cross-eyed because of this pink stuff. If I eversee that rat again... Words, words, words. "Pork rinds." That'lldraw a crowd. This looks promising. Hey! That rat! I'm going to getme some rat! Oh, not these birdbrains. Let's get rid of them onceand for all. ...and everything. Rat on three! Three! Wait up,Brooksie! I'm coming with you! Little flamingoes! Come and get me!- It's scary guy! - Abort! Abort! Peck him! Peck him, Elwyn! Wait aminute. His eyes are buttons, and his hair is straw. This guy ain'treal! - He's not? - No! Oh, yeah! The rat rules! Take that! Do youknow what this means? - Yeah. - What? We could've had corn! Well,Your Highness, you satisfied or what? 'Cause I've got a spitty hunkof pineapple upside-down cake out there with my name on it. Yes,very satisfied. Be careful. If you keep this up, someone mightthink you care. Gee, I'm all choked up. Charlotte? If I don't winthe prize tomorrow, they're gonna send me to the smokehouse. You'regoing to win, Wilbur. And you're going to see the snows of winter.I told you, I never break a promise. Mom? Will you put these in forme? You look like a girl! And I still hit like one. Well, what doyou think? It's a great word. It's just... Just what? Is it theright word? Is it true? Because I don't really feel like I deserveany of the things you've written about me. Then it is the perfectword. The web! Hey, Wilbur! "Humble." Hey, Wilbur. If that's not aprize-winner, I don't know what is. He's going to win this thing,isn't he? Oh, Homer, I can't go up to that grandstand looking likethis. Homer. It's not fair. Why didn't they tell us the judging wasgoing to be so early? We did our best. I'll get the truck and takehim home. I really thought we had a shot. It's okay. It'll be okay.I told you. There it is! The web! Mom... What's going on? It lookslike it's "humble." Excuse me. Thank you. Coming through. Excuseme. Mr. Zuckerman! Could you come with me, please? Oh, and bringthe pig, too. Homer. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the stateof Maine, it gives us great pleasure to present Zuckermars famouspig! Folks! Folks! I think we all remember the start of summer,when the writing appeared on the web in Mr. Zuckermars barn. Andnow it has happened yet again! Which is why the governors of thefair are honored to present this handsome medal. A token of ouramazement and our appreciation. I love you, Wilbur. Well, what canI say about this pig that hasn't already been said? I know a lot ofyou folks have come out to the farm, and you've seen the words. Alot of you have asked me, "How could this have happened?" I don'tknow. But it has happened in a time when we really don't see manymiraculous things. Or maybe we do. Maybe they're all right therearound us, every day, and we just don't know where to look. There'sno denying that our own little Wilbur, he's part of somethingthat's bigger than all of us. And life on that farm is just a wholelot better with him in it. He really is some pig. Way to go,Wilbur! Charlotte, look how happy she is! Isn't that great? Yes,it's wonderful. Hey, what's that? This is my magnum opus. What's amagnet opus? Magnum opus. It means "great work." It's anutrient-filled, waterproof egg sac. Really? There's eggs in there?My babies, 514 of them. Wow! With 514 baby spiders all over theplace, it's going to be really radiant in the barn! Wilbur, I'mafraid they're not going to make it back to the barn. What? Whatare you talking about? You're not going to leave them here alone,are you? I have no choice. I'm languishing. What does that mean? Itmeans I'm dying. What? You can't die! Wilbur, we're born, we live,and, when our time comes, we die. It's just the natural cycle oflife. No! No, just climb down. I'll carry you the rest of the way.We'll go back to the barn, and I'll take care of you. No, Wilbur. Idon't even have the strength to climb down. You have to. You'vedone so much for me! And it was my great pleasure. Please comedown, Charlotte. Please. There must be something I can do. No,Wilbur. Don't you know what you've already done? You made me yourfriend, and, in doing so, you made a spider beautiful to everyonein that barn. I didn't do anything, Charlotte. You did it all. No.My webs were no miracle, Wilbur. I was only describing what I saw.The miracle is you. Templeton! Charlotte is very sick. Yeah, andtwisted. She's dying! She can't go home with us. So, I need you tohelp me take her egg sac with us. Did you say eggs? It's an eggsac. And it's right up there, and it has her children in it. And Ican't just leave it here. What if something happened to them? Now,I can't reach it, so I need you to get it for me. And I need you todo it now. I don't think I like your tone. Can't you just once inyour life think of someone other than yourself? - A little further.Keep coming. - Once? Once? Come on. No, you come on! Who got hishindquarters pecked to make you "radiant," huh? Templeton, that'swho. And who interrupted the gorging of a lifetime so you could be"humble"? Why, I think it was Templeton! Templeton! Templeton!Templeton! And do I get thanked? No! Well, has it ever occurred toyou that even a rat might like a little appreciation? A little,dare I say, love? Do it and you'll get dibs on my slop for the restof my life. Done. Hurry! Up in the corner on the ledge. Templeton!Come on! Thank you, Templeton, for everything. It's okay, just dropit. Hurry! Here you go. Here's your medal. - In you go. - Time togo home, Wilbur. All right. Close her up, Lurvy. Okay, easy now.Goodbye, my sweet, sweet Wilbur. Goodbye, Charlotte. I love you. Isthat our lovely-ovely-ovely little Wilbur? - And he's got a medal!- Strong work, kid. He looks so grown up. - I always knew he coulddo it. - Never had a doubt. Welcome home, Wilbur. Wilbur? Where'sCharlotte? I got a bad feeling, Bits. Me, too. Now, that isn't tosay Charlotte was gone forever. She lived on in the hearts of thosethat knew her, and even those that didn't. Something had changed inSomerset County. It was as if people knew they lived in a specialplace now. And, in small ways, they started being special people, alittle bit kinder, a bit more understanding. And the animals feltdifferent, too. Closer. The warmth of their friendship carried themthrough the long, cold months. They showed it in little gestures ofkindness, unusual patience, and promises kept. Even the hardest ofhearts found themselves rising to the occasion. And, finally, thegreatest promise of all, a spring pig saw his first snowfall. Itwas as though Charlotte herself had shaken it out of the sky. Thestillness of winter continued to the first thaw, like it alwaysdoes. And then, the first buds of spring. And, before you knew it,life had come full circle. They're here! They're here! They'rehere, everybody! Hey, there. I'm Wilbur. I'm a friend of yourmom's. Boy, are we glad to see you! So creepy! And cute! Just liketheir mother. They're so, so beautiful. I just want to scoop themup and hug them all. Wow, you can fly! Look at you go! Now that issomething to follow. Go, little spiders! Be free! I wish I could.I'm kidding, honey. I think I got one inside my beak. - Thanks,baby. - That's my Golly-olly-olly. Wow! I can't believe they'rereally here. - So pretty. - Yeah, Bits. You doing okay over there,lke? I'm okay with it. I'm okay with it, Bets. I'm okay with it.Spiders are nice. Spiders are my friend. Spiders won't hurt me.Wait! What's happening? What are you doing? - Bye! - Bye! Pleasedon't go. - Goodbye! Bye! - Wait! Wait! Goodbye! Where are yougoing? We're setting forth. We take to the breeze. We go as weplease. We take to the breeze! Bye! But you can't go! I had so muchI wanted to tell you! And someone I wanted to tell you about.Salutations! - Who said that? - I'm up here. - So am I. - Me, too.- We'd like to stay. - We like it here. And we like you, too.You're staying? Oh, that's great! That's really, really great!Three friends! What are your names? I'll tell you my name if you'lltell me why you're trembling. Well, I think I'm trembling with joy.- Then my name is Joy. - Joy? Perfect. - What was my mom's middleinitial? - A. Then my name is Aranea. Wow! Great name! Why don'tyou pick my name for me? Something sensible. Not too long, not toofancy. And not too dumb. Tricky. How about Nellie? Nellie? I likeit. Well done! Joy, Aranea, Nellie, you have chosen a halloweddoorway in which to spin your webs. This was your mother's doorway.She was loyal, brilliant, beautiful, and she was my friend. I willtreasure her memory forever. So, to you, her daughters, I pledge myfriendship. I pledge mine! - I do, too! - So do I! Okay, I'd liketo make a couple of announcements. First of all, if you gals areword-lovers, and you need a few scraps of paper for inspiration,don't look at me. My word-fetching days are over. I'm not the rat Iused to be. I'm at least twice that. So, if you need something towrite, try this, "Some rat." Some rat. Think about it. Slops! Oh,yeah! And, in an ordinary barn, an ordinary pig, a runt no less,stood surrounded by friends, welcoming his second spring. And thatspring was followed by many, many more. All because someone stoppedto see the grace and beauty and nobility of the humblest creature.That is the miracle of friendship. It is not often that someonecomes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte wasboth.
