Summary

Chapter 5, “Charlotte.”

Wilbur struggles restlessly to sleep through the night, but is constantly awakened by the noises in the barn. Wilbur has a conversation with the goose, who is having trouble sleeping due to the fact that she’s sitting on eight eggs. When dawn finally approaches, Wilbur begins looking everywhere for the voice that had spoken to him the night before. Wilbur eventually speaks out, declaring “Will the party who addressed me at bedtime last night kindly speak up. Please tell me where you are, if you are my friend!” (Chapter 5, p. 33). The other animals in the barn tell Wilbur to be quiet and go back to sleep.

Finally, after Wilbur eats his breakfast and settles back into his morning nap, the voice reappears, saying “Salutations!”Wilbur finally sees his new friend, a spider, who introduces herself as Charlotte. Charlotte A. Cavatica is a...