Charlotte's Web

The crickets are getting louder and singing “summer is dying, dying” (113). This news brings the thought of change and the end to a season and an era on the farm, as the goslings grow up, Fern gets ready to return to school, and Charlotte realizes that her time on earth is coming to an end. Wilbur is growing larger and more radiant by the day, doing “everything possible to make himself glow” (114), even performing backflips for the crowds that continue to gather around him. Wilbur remains humble despite his performances, wondering if he will really be saved come wintertime. He is grateful for his life, his friends, and looks forward to the upcoming County Fair. Wilbur asks Charlotte if she can come with him, but she declines, explaining that she must stay behind and work on laying eggs. Charlotte worries about what will happen when she has no time or energy to spin words for Wilbur.

Everyone is fast asleep and dreaming on the night before the fair. Wilbur is shown as a highly inflated version of himself, larger than life and the tents of the county fair.