Charlotte's Web

This has been such a fun month, watching movies I grew up with but hadn't seen in ages.  It's funny how different you see them when you're older, and the things you noticed that you never did before.

For example, I never realized how needy Wilbur is.  He gets coddled by Fern, and when he moves to the Zuckerman farm, he's really lonely.  He wants a friend, someone to play with, and to live.  Come to think of it, I guess that's not too much to ask for.  Perhaps it's just the way he talks that make him sound needy.

When your stomach is empty and your mind is full, it's always hard to sleep.


Then he meets Charlotte, the barn spider.  And despite my fear/hatred of spiders, I can't help but love Charlotte.  Most of the gems of wisdom in this quaint tale come from her.  The Goose contributes a few gems as well, such as when she tells her frightened recently hatched gosling-

  "It is big and frightening at times, but on the whole, the world is a wonderful place."


I was shocked at how blunt this story is about life and death.  There are so many facts of life that we try to shield from children, but I suppose they are capable of understanding much more than we give them credit for.  Many of the lessons are quite obvious, like the theme of "Chin Up!" one of Charlotte's favorite mantras whenever Wilbur is feeling sorry for himself.  Others are a little more veiled (or I am just gleaning whatever I want to from events and lines :)  For example, when Avery tries to catch Charlotte and Wilbur races him off, causing him to crush the rotten egg, the ram is complaining from the smell.  But Wilbur says "It'll clear soon, see, the wind is already taking it away."

This is a positive stance to take whenever we are facing a struggle, uncomfortable situation, or trial.  We focus so much on the fact that we have to deal with it, not realizing that life is always changing and that often the circumstances which bring us down one day are a part of the past the next.  What comfort and perspective we could find by taking a deep breath in those moments and realizing "it won't always be like this."

It also strikes me that everyone made such a big deal about Wilbur, when the real hero of the story is Charlotte, a simple spider.  The barn animals realize her worth, and turn to her for advice, but the people take her completely for granted.  Sometimes the people who contribute the most are the people who get ignored the most, and the people who accomplish the least receive all the fame.  This made me think of my mom, who is always doing things for everyone else and hardly ever gets noticed.  It's important to let people like this know that we appreciate their efforts.  We could also try harder to be more like Charlotte- happy to do good whenever we can, and not concerned with whether or not we get praised for it.

As Wilbur's fame grows, he gets ready to go to the fair, and Charlotte sings the beautiful but sad song "Mother Earth and Father Time."  (Here is a version of it I LOVE...)

Charlotte knows her time on earth is short, and she has a clear sense of purpose for the time that she has.  In the end, her efforts save Wilbur and she is able to lay her sack of eggs, her magnum opus, or "great work."  Templeton gets the sack and the nastiest part of the story ensues- when he and Wilbur each carry the sac in their mouths until it can be safely deposited on the farm.  Spring arrives and life renews itself.

Best line of the movie: "It's not often that someone that comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.  Charlotte was both."

What's your "magnum opus?"