- Director: Charles A. Nichols
- Year: 1973
Overview
Wilbur is a runt piglet who is spared from slaughter by a young girl named Fern. When he grows bigger, he is sold to her uncle's barn, where he learns his ultimate fate is to be butchered. Terrified, he is befriended by Charlotte, a wise spider living in the barn rafters. Charlotte promises to save him and begins weaving messages into her web praising the pig. These messages attract crowds of visitors, convincing the farmer that Wilbur is special. With the help of a rat named Templeton, Wilbur wins a prize at the county fair, securing his long-term safety.
Takeaways
Wilbur starts out as just another farm animal destined for the dinner table. Charlotte changes everything by weaving words into her web, which makes the farmers think Wilbur is special. This clever trick turns Wilbur into a local attraction and saves him from being slaughtered. Templeton the rat doesn't care about friendship and only helps out when he gets fed. Charlotte's plan succeeds because she gets the farmer, the rat, and the local community to all work toward the same goal.