Chapter 20 19.oocyst

The next morning, when the first ray of morning light appeared from the sky, the sparrows began to sing in the trees; when the cows shook their chains and the roosters began to crow; While whizzing by, Wilbur woke up and started looking for Charlotte.He saw her in an upper corner behind the pigsty.She looked very peaceful, with all eight legs stretched loosely.She seemed to shrink overnight.Beside her, Wilbur saw something strange, stuck to the top floor of the pigsty.It was a sac, or cocoon.It looks peachy and looks like it's made from marshmallows. "Are you awake, Charlotte?" he asked softly.

"Yes," she replied. "What's that pretty little thing? Did you make it?" "I made it," replied Charlotte in a weak voice. "Is that a toy?" "Toy? Shouldn't be. This is my oocyst, my Magnum opus." "I don't know what Magnum opus means," said Wilbur. "That's a Latin word," explained Charlotte. "It means like the greatest creation. This egg sac is my greatest creation - the best thing I've ever made. "What's in it?" asked Wilbur. "Egg?" "514 eggs," she replied.

"514?" said Wilbur. "You're lying to me." "No, I didn't, I did. I counted one by one, and then I kept counting to the end--it's just a good way to pass the time." "It's a perfect egg sac," said Wilbur proudly, as if he had made it himself. "Yes, it's perfect," said Charlotte, patting the oocyst with her front legs. "Also, I can assure you that it is very strong. It is made of my thickest silk thread. It is also waterproof. The eggs will stay warm and dry all the time inside." "Charlotte," said Wilbur dreamily, "are you really going to have 514 children?"

"If there are no accidents, there will be," she said. "But they won't hatch until next spring." Wilbur noticed that Charlotte's tone was sad. "What makes you sound so sad? I think you should be ecstatic about it." "Oh, don't mind me," said Charlotte. "I just don't have the strength. I'm sad because I won't be able to see my kids, I think." "Why do you think you can't see your kids! Of course you can. We'll all see them. It must be fun to watch 514 little spiders running around the barn cellar tomorrow spring. Then At that time, the goose will hatch another flock of goslings, and the sheep will give birth to new lambs..."

"Perhaps," said Charlotte softly. "Anyway, I have a hunch that I'm not going to see the results of my hard work last night. I feel bad right now. To tell you the truth, I think I'm dying." Wilbur didn't understand the meaning of "decrepit", and he was ashamed to always ask Charlotte to explain.But because of his extreme worry, he felt that it was necessary to ask clearly. "What does decay mean?" "It means I'm getting sluggish, and the years are getting worse. I'm not getting any younger, Wilbur. But I don't want you to worry about me. It's a good day for you. Look at my web--in it Doesn't it look great with dew?"

The web that Charlotte spun this morning looked more beautiful than any she had ever spun.Every thread is adorned with glittering morning dew.The sunlight from the east makes the characters inside appear extraordinarily clear and beautiful.It was a net perfectly conceived and weavered.In an hour or two, the crowd would come, admiring, reading, and looking at Wilbur, marveling at the miracle in their eyes. While Wilbur was looking at the web, wisps of mustache and a pointy face appeared.Templeton slowly returned to the pigsty and lay down in the corner. "I'm back," he said hoarsely. "What a night!"

The mouse was twice as fat as usual.His belly was like a big round jam jar. "What a night!" he repeated hoarsely. "What a boozy feast! A real binge! I must have eaten a full thirty lunch leftovers. I've never seen such good leftovers, and the heat of the day and baking for so long just make these things It's extra savory. Oh, so rich, my friend, so rich!" "You should be ashamed of your behavior," said Charlotte in disgust. "If you have severe indigestion, you deserve it." "You don't need to worry about my stomach," growled Templeton. "It can hold anything. By the way, I got bad news. As I was passing by that pig - the one called Uncle - I saw a blue tag on the front of his pen .That means he's got the first prize. I guess you lost, Wilbur. You've got to try your best--no one's going to hang up any medals for you. Besides, if Mr. Zuckerman changes his mind about you, I won't be surprised either. Live till he wants fresh pork and prosciutto and crisp bacon! Then he'll brandish a knife at you, my darling."

"Shut up, Templeton!" said Charlotte. "You've eaten so much that you're talking nonsense. Don't listen to him, Wilbur!" Wilbur tried his best not to recall what the Mouse had just said.He decided to change the subject to distract himself. "Templeton," said Wilbur, "if you're not stupid, you should have noticed that Charlotte has made an egg sac. She's going to be a mother. I've got news for you. There's 514 eggs." "Is that true?" the mouse asked with its eyes fixed on the oocyst curiously. "Yes, really," said Charlotte softly.

"Congratulations!" muttered Templeton. "What a night!" He closed his eyes, dragged some straw over himself, and fell asleep soundly.Wilbur and Charlotte are happy to be free from the rats for a while. At nine o'clock Mr. Arable's truck drove back to the fair grounds and pulled up by Wilbur's pigsty.Everyone got out of the car. "Look!" cried Fern. "Look at Charlotte's Web! See what it says!" Adults and children stood there holding hands, observing the newly woven characters. "With all due respect," Mr. Zuckerman said. "That's a perfect word for Wilbur!"

Everyone said there was another miracle in the spider's web.Wilbur looked amiably at the faces of the people.He seemed courteous and agreeable.Fern winked at Charlotte knowingly.Before long Rubi was busy.He emptied the bucket of warm pig food into the trough and scratched Wilbur lightly with a slick stick while he ate his breakfast. "Wait a minute!" Avery said. "Look at this!" he said, pointing to the blue tag on Uncle's pigsty. "The pig has won the jackpot." The Zuckermans and the Arables stared at the label.Mrs. Zuckerman began to cry.No one said another word.They just stared blankly at the label.Then they look at "Uncle" and then at the label.Lurvy took out an extra-large handkerchief and blew his nose loudly—so loudly that even the groom in the stable over there could hear him.

"Can I have some money?" asked Fern. "I want to go to the playground." "You stay here!" said her mother.Tears began to well in Fern's eyes. "What are you all crying for?" said Mr. Zuckerman. "Let's get busy! Edith, get the yogurt!" Mrs. Zuckerman wiped her eyes with her handkerchief.She walked to the truck and brought back a bottle containing a gallon of yogurt. "Bath time!" Mr. Zuckerman exclaimed.He and Mrs. Zuckerman and Avery went into Wilbur's pigsty.Avery slowly poured yogurt over Wilbur's head and back, and as the yogurt ran down Wilbur's body, the Zuckermans rubbed it into Wilbur's hair and skin.People passing by stopped to visit.Soon, a beautiful pig appeared.Wilbur was white and smooth and turned out to be very beautiful.The morning sun shone through his pink ears. "He's not as big as the pig in that pen," said a bystander, "but he's cleaner. That's what I like about him." "I thought so too," said another man. "He's also very humble," said a woman, reading from the Internet. Everyone who visited had something to say about Wilbur.Everyone was amazed at the net.Of course, no one noticed Charlotte. Suddenly, a voice came from the loudspeaker. "Attention!" said the inside. "Mr. Homer Zuckerman, please, bring his famous pig to the judging field in the grandstand. In twenty minutes, a special prize will be awarded there. Everyone is invited. Please bring your pig Pack in the box, Mr. Zuckerman, and report to the court immediately!" The moment the announcement was made, the Arables and the Zuckermans were almost speechless and unable to move.Then, Avery grabbed a handful of straw and threw it into the air, yelling excitedly.The straws drifted into Fern's hair like wedding confetti.Mr. Arable kissed Mrs. Arable.Avery kisses Wilbur.Lu Wei waved to everyone.Fern hugged her mother tightly.Avery hugged Fern.Mrs. Arable hugged Mrs. Zuckerman. In the shadows on the top tier of the pigsty, Charlotte crouched unnoticed, clutching her egg sac with her forelegs excitedly.Her heart didn't beat as vigorously as before, and she felt that she was old and weak now, but she believed that she finally saved Wilbur's life, so she was very satisfied in her heart. "Let's not waste time!" Mr. Zuckerman shouted. "Luvi, help me carry the box!" "Can I have some money?" Fern asked. "Wait!" said Arable. "Can't you see everyone is busy?" "Take the empty yogurt bottles back to the truck!" Mr. Arable ordered.Avery rushed onto the truck with the bottle in his arms. "Does my hair look all right?" said Mrs. Zuckerman. "It's all right," Mr. Zuckerman said perfunctorily, as he and Lurvy placed the crate in front of Wilbur. "You never looked at my hair!" said Mrs. Zuckerman. "You are very well, Edith," said Mr. Arable. "As long as you stay calm." Templeton, who was sleeping in the straw, woke up when he heard a noise.He had no idea what was going on, but he saw the men carrying Wilbur into the crate and decided to follow.He slipped into the crate when no one was looking, and hid under the straw. "Get ready, boys!" shouted Mr. Zuckerman. "Let's go!" He and Mr. Arable, Rubi, and Avery carried the boxes and walked to the truck.Fern jumped into the car and sat on the box.Straw was still stuck to her hair, which made her look extra playful and lovely.Mr. Arable started the engine.Everyone got into the car and drove to the referee field. As they passed the Ferris Wheel, Fern glanced at it, wishing she could join Henry in the top seat on the wheel.