Teacher Guide: Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

8-year-old Fern Arable stops her father from killing a runt piglet, and keeps him as a pet. She names him Wilbur and raises him lovingly, but when he grows too large, he is sold to her uncle’s farm. Lonely and frightened of his eventual fate as livestock, Wilbur befriends the animals in the barn, especially Charlotte, a wise and kind spider. When Wilbur learns he will be slaughtered for food, Charlotte devises a plan to save him. Using her webs, she spins words praising Wilbur—such as “Some Pig,” “Terrific,” and “Radiant”—which amaze the humans and convince them that Wilbur is extraordinary. The farm becomes famous, and Wilbur is taken to the county fair, where Charlotte continues her efforts despite growing weak. Charlotte ultimately succeeds in saving Wilbur’s life, but she dies shortly after laying her eggs. Heartbroken, Wilbur brings her egg sac back to the farm, where Charlotte’s children are born. Though most leave, a few stay behind, ensuring that Charlotte’s legacy—and the themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life—live on.