 Hello everybody! Hi! Welcome to the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine and our Fall 2018 production of Charlotte's Web. This is based on the book by E.B. White and adapted by Joseph Robinette. We're so excited that you're watching us today. Thank you very much and enjoy the show. Listen to the sounds of the morning. Very, very early morning. So early, in fact, the sun isn't even up yet. Listen to the crickets, the good owls, a frog down by the pond, a dog up at the next farm. And today's is another song. It tells us something exciting happened during the night. Some brand new kids came. Here's one of them right now exploring his new home. His name is, well actually, he doesn't have it in yet. Think about being still just a little pig. But as you'll see, he's not just any ordinary pig. Who am I? Where am I? Never been here before. Never been anywhere before. Everything's so, so strange. But I like it. I think. This new pig has been born here at the Aribals Farm. Before long, we meet the Aribals. We also meet the others, the people and the animals, who play an important part in his little pig's life. Now where should we start? Wait a minute. We've already started. It's early morning. We're at the Aribals Farm. It's a big and some warm. For now, that's all you need to know. Some pigs were born last night. Well, I don't think mine even acts. Well, one of the pigs is a wretch. It's very small and weak, so your father's decided to do away with it. Oh, gosh. Stop him. Yeah, there's... Stop, Fern. Don't yell. Your father's right. It would probably die anyway. Fern, I know more about raising a litter of pigs than you do. A weakling makes trouble. Now run along. I'm born small. Could it? This is the most terrible case of injustice I've ever heard of. I'll let you take care of it for a little while. For doing over there. Your sister has a guest for breakfast, Avery. In fact, for a little while, she's gonna be raising that pig. You call that miserable thing a pig? It's nothing but a runt. Go inside and eat your breakfast, Avery. The school bus will be along in half an hour. Such a good time with this little pig. Can I have a pig too, Bob? No. I only give pigs or early risers who want to rid the world of injustice. Let's eat. Pissing bottle. You bring that pig in and give him some breakfast. Hey, what's his name anyway? You're along now. I have to name you. It's a perfect name for a perfect pig. Not for you. Clarence. You look like a Clarence. Now to have something besides just milk. Try this bowl of cornmeal mush. And honey. Chock it up to good clean living. And to good fattening food. Okay, pig. It's time you graduate the slops. Skim milk. Potato skins. Potato skins. Leftover sandwiches. Leftover sandwiches. And marmalade drippings. Marmalade drippings. I'd say it's about time for a birthday party. He was big. Now let them call me a runt. Check out the pink in the cheeks. Eating too much. I can't provide for him any longer. I've already sold Wilbur's to his brothers and sisters. Wilbur sometimes keeps a pig. And if Wilbur goes to live there, you can go down and visit him any time you'd like. Oh yes, please. That's not a bad idea, Martha. Come along. We'll call on Wilbur. Can Wilbur come too? Why not? Maybe we'll let him make the call himself. Lily, patch up that piece of fat that's coming down. She goes back doors back so they couldn't give her the pink sauce. As it's worse. I couldn't let down Fern, could I? I mean, she seems so desperate. And besides, she only asks six dollars for it. And when it gets big enough to slaughter, it'll be worth a lot more than six dollars. What? Quick for a pig. Oh, here's the name, does he? I just made a big can of peaches. Come down and visit you almost every day. The horse is in the house. It has a peaceful smell. I saw nothing bad could ever happen again in the world. Fern was right. It is very nice here. It's nice to have a pig around the place again. I'm gonna have delicious leftover slobs in an age. Oh, but the slobs will be for me. I'm sure you'll find it in your charitable little heart to share your food with dear old Templeton, especially if I make my nest right here beside your truck. What is all the commotion in here? It's the oval jeep. We overheard the supplements discussing you. They plan to keep you nice and comfortable. And fatten you up with delicious slobs. Oh, I am going to love it here. Just the same. We don't envy you. You know why they want to make you fat? They say nothing at all. Nice to meet you, Wilbur. Lamp, mind your manners. Nice to. My pleasure. I'm sure. Well, I have a trash pile. I'm sure about Templeton. And I'm a trifle concerned about the old chief's remark. You know why they want to make you fat and tender, don't you? Well, I don't know. And the old chief didn't tell me. Well, I'm much too tired to worry about it now. I'm going to sleep. Go to sleep, Wilbur. Go to sleep, little pig. Horse, take a walk. The map out. Horse, take a walk. Take a hole. Ten o'clock. Fill in the hole. Eleven o'clock. Just stand still and watch the flies. The bees in the swallows. Twelve noon. Who lunch? It's the fence post. Four o'clock and four thirty on. I've watched you all night. And I like you. Who are you? And this will do the trick, Wilbur. Now, he won't like this medicine, so you have to hold him down and I'll feed it to him. Come on, boy. It's sulfur and molasses. It'll cure what ails you. I'll give him a second dose. Just a good measure. I think he'll be well in no time. Marty just spoke to me. Make himself or herself known. The fancy way of saying hello. Well, salutations to you too. May I have your name, please? My name is Charlotte. Charlotte what? Charlotte? I'm a spider. I think you're beautiful. Thank you. And your web is beautiful too. It's my home. I know it looks fragile, but it's really very sturdy. Protects me. And I trap my food in it. Oh, I'm so happy you'll be my friend. In fact, it restores my appetite. Will you join me? No, thank you. My breakfast is waiting for me on the other side of my web. Oh, what do you happen? A fly. I caught it this morning. You eat flies? In bugs. Actually, I drink their blood. It's the way I'm made. I can't help it. Anyway, if I didn't drink the blood of flies and bees, there'd soon be so many of them that they'd take over the world, wipe out everything. Well, I wouldn't want that to happen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I wouldn't have my breakfast. I've got a new friend, all right. But Charlotte is brutal, I think, and bloodthirsty. How can I learn to like her, even though she is very pretty and clever, it seems? Wilbur was suffering the doubts and fears that often go with finding a new friend. But, as the days passed by, he slowly discovered that Charlotte had a kind heart and that she was loyal and true. Spring would soon become summer. The early summer days are a jibbly for birds. From the once, the white thro- For the happiest and fairest of the year, lilacs and apple blossoms bloomed, the days were warm and soft, and now the school's over, I can come visit the barn almost every day. Four weeks of unremitting effort on the part of our friend, the goose. The gosslings have arrived, and here comes our proud mother right now. The father is also to be congratulated. What happened to the other egg? In collection. Imagine wanting a junky old rotten egg. Let's hope this egg never breaks. A rotten egg is a regular stink bomb. Don't worry, I won't break it. I handle stuff like this all the time. Let's put it right here in the trough of my other things. Here's some good news. Uncle Homer and Aunt Edith seem to be glad that you're putting on weight. Sure they are. And you know why, don't you? You asked me that once before, but you didn't tell me why. Now, now, now, won't she? He has to learn sometimes. Learn what? At that news. Mother Pat and you want so they can kill you. So they can what? Kill you. Turn you into smoked bacon and ham. It'll happen when the weather turns cold. It's a regular conspiracy. Stop! I don't want to die. I want to stay here, read the beautiful air. Certainly making a beautiful noise. But I don't want to die. You were quite down. I am. How? I'm afraid that remains to be seen. Burned. Pray it free. How does that mean to you? You're gone. Charlotte Fordevers. And you're going to do to save Wilbur. Who's Charlotte? I'm straight over there. It's Drametjus. Leave him alone, Amberie. That said, you were going to keep them from killing me. I've never been more serious in my life. How are you going to do it? I'm not sure, but I want you to get plenty of rest and stop worrying. Good night, Charlotte. Good night. Thank you, Charlotte. Good night. What to do? Save Wilbur's life and I am determined to do that promise. Wait a minute. The way to save Wilbur's life is to play a trick on the supplement. If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People aren't as smart as bugs. Of course. Let's odd be easy, but it must be done. First, I tear out a section of my web, leaving an open space in the middle. Next, I leave new threads to occupy the space. Swing the spinnerets, let out the thread. The longer it gets, the better it's run. Attach, ascend, repeat, descend, pay outline, messages spun, friend. Some pain, girl, for the first time around, but it was quite exhausting. Then I catch a little nap before deepening. I have the most terrible dream. I dreamt there were men with guns and knives coming out here to take me away. Thing here but me. He saw me. He saw that I'm big and healthy and ready to be made into guns and knives. Right now, I just know it. What can I do? Let's be something literally patched up. Maybe it's loose again. I have to try. See them freedom for the frying pan. The first, a little sustenance breaking out of this prison. Well, we have no ordinary. No, it's the pink. It's unusual. Mistress, how about the miracle? Then call the aerobels. Hurry. You know, I always knew this piggy bar was just quite a good one. I'd say it's some pig. Come on now, Larry, work to do. I'm sure there'll be lots of visitors from one of these things out. Things to have worked, at least for the time being, but if we are to save Weber's life, I'm going to have to write more words, which means new ideas. Any suggestions? How about big supreme? No good. Zuckerman, does anyone here know how to spell their project? Hamilton only helped himself. And what's up? Did you see the message in the web? It was there when I went out this morning. So we could deal. It was a big deal to Zuckerman. And now, Charlotte needs new ideas. When you go to the dump, bring back a magazine clipping, and Charlotte can copy the words. It'll help save Weber's life. Well, let him die. I should worry. You should worry next winter when Weber is dead, and nobody comes around here with a nice pile of socks. I'll cook in a magazine clipping. And the sun, Weber. I need a little rest. Thank you, Charlotte. You're the best friend a pig ever had. News about the word in Charlotte's blood began to spread throughout the county. People came from miles around. Here's the wonderful pigs, where I clear up into the hills when farms talked about the miraculous animals after this time. Charlotte knew there'd be even more visitors the next day. So, that night, were the other creatures that she began to work on her web? Weber gets the letters read. Spinning and weaving, she began to form the new letters. Attach, ascend, repeat. Weber, steady, now for the R. On through the night, the spider worked at her difficult task, which was nearly morning when she fell asleep. The message was spun up to the end. He ate the small bug she was saving. After that, she fell asleep. I think I spent the entire day and night outside sleeping. Oh well. It's very refreshing, especially in the summertime. I'm afraid. No one can happen again. Well, then tell them what's happened. You may want to bring a photographer. Plainest day. Terrific. I can't believe it. Yesterday, the driver was practically full of cars and trucks. I don't know where to put them all. We can park the vehicles in the open field. Every now and then, I'll do our traffic. Funny work to do. We have to get ready for the visitors. We do. I think I'll help you. I can make you stuck up. Of course not. They will never spoil me. Anyway, you still have to worry about this future. His life is not here yet. I know. I can face anything with friends like you. Church is one of the most satisfying things in the world. You better believe it, Buster. And you better not forget the friendship of old Templeton. It just happens to be at the dump all night looking for words to say you. From an empty package of soap flakes. I have to see you in action this year for if you are... First piece of apple strudel she's making for the visitors. Mr. Zuckerman's even talking about bringing you to the county fair. Follow this excitement. Continue. For at least another month. When I'll be making my egg sac and filling it with eggs. You could lay your eggs at the fair. Lover said they were just thinking about taking you to the fair. If the excitement continues. New words. So I better start writing one right away. Stand in front of me so anyone won't see. I'm writing if they come by. Get out of the way. I have to come to the fair too. Somebody, somebody, somebody has to run errands to do Java work. I'm staying right here. I have no interest in fairs. That's because you've never been to one. A fair is a rat's paradise. Everybody spills food at a fair. Popcorn, frozen custard, candy apples. Stop it. That's enough. You've twisted my whiskers. I'll go. Attach, ascend, repeat. Cheryl, it's working fast so fast. I hope you all got in the hang of it right now. Look. Here comes the visitors. It looks like a photographer and a reporter. Hurry, hurry. One, two, three. They're almost. Spitting webs, but I can try. Oh, that's okay. I'm done. And the photographer. Let me get my wife and my heir to end in there too. Loverby, Edith. You'll get some extra good ham and bacon homework when it comes time to kill that pig. That's it. I've got something for you to write in your newspaper. I'm bringing this pig to the county fair. And if he can win a blue ribbon, I guarantee we'll never make him to hammer bacon. Oh, what happens? They harvest thoughts of school and the county fair. Come one, come all. Foot long hot dogs, giant hamburgers, french fried potatoes, all this and more at the Lions Club barbecue pavilion at the fair. We can go with you. Let's let the children go off by themselves. The fair only comes once a year. Thank you, Papa. He's got to win that blue ribbon tomorrow. Tomorrow's the big day. And don't eat lots of stuff that's going to make you sick to your stomachs. Ed, if you go on those swings, you hold on tight. You hear me? Oh, Ed. Is it coming? Oh, do you think they'll be all right, John? Well, they've got to grow up sometime. And a fair is a good place to start, I guess. Here's the sign for water. Good, Loverby. Well, put it right here so everyone knows. This is the pig they've been hearing about. Zuckerman's famous pig. That's fine by me, Loverby. Maybe all of it even wouldn't one of those Napao blankets I've been hearing about. Isn't it nice to be at the fair? I'm just as excited as the kids. Ed, Ed, can we go see the new tractors? Let's you and me wander down to the cattle barn and check out the hostines and the gurlies. Okay, but let's keep an occasional eye out for friend and Avery. All finished. We'll meet you back there in a little while. I thought they'd never leave. It's much easier for a rat to hide out in a barn in the open like this. Well, I think I'll do a little exploring. Please bring back a word, Templeton. I'll do what I can. I'm sure there'll be bigger pigs here and even better-looking ones. No, I'm just calling my uncle. You're rather large. Are you a spring pig? Sure I'm a spring pig. What do you think, a little spring chicken? Fun or the next step? Mildly funny. I've heard funnier ones, though. What are you doing over here? They're still working on them. I just wandered off. Look at my new mini when they say I'm gone. When I've seen it so far, I've got that blue all soda. But I won't need a new bell. Better be skinned back. Got 50 up for the crowd. I'm ready for a much bigger. He's gonna be a hard pig to be and on account of his size. And if I'm not too tired, just spinning this new web earlier today to go on with my spring-looking fellow. I think I've heard it. Aren't you supposed to be that creative terrific? Over here. He's tricky. Well, here's your order. Going. I'm having trouble reading that. What's the word? Humble. H-U-M-B-L-E. Humble has two meanings. It means not proud and close to the ground. That's what we're all over. Well, I hope you're satisfied. I'm not gonna spend the whole time delivering papers. I came to this fair to enjoy myself. You've been very helpful, Templeton. You may run along now. Oh, I'm gonna make a night of it. The old sheep was right. This fair is a rat's paradise. What eating? What drinking? Bye-bye, my humble Wilbur. Fairly well, Charlotte, you old schemer. This will be a night to remember in a rat's life. Charlotte, what did you mean when you said this was going to be your last word? But Charlotte? That's wonderful, Lervie. Just lucky that's all. Come on, everybody. Come see what Lervie won. What is it, Irving? Congratulations. I do wonder where Fern is. She'll be along. I suppose now that the excitement's sat down, we ought to be packing up. Will the pig be all right? Of course, Lervie. They have night watch for the look after the pigs and the people that left. Yeah, it'll be fine. Lucky day today. Let's just hope it's as lucky for Wilbur tomorrow. Oh, Fern, where were you? I've been worried about you. Oh, I met Henry Fussy. He invited me to ride with him on the Ferris wheel. Henry Fussy? He even bought a ticket for me. My, my. Let's load up, everybody. I hope you weren't too worried about me. Not really. Now that I know where you were. Thinking about you tonight, Wilbur? Sleep well. On Ferris, we'll ride with Henry. One time we stopped at the very top. You could really see the whole county. Or, at least I think it was the whole county. This is really going to be your last word. I don't know. I don't have much strength left. And tonight I have another job to do. Is it something for me? No. It's something for me for a change. Please tell me what it is. I'll show you in the morning. You're with me, Charlotte. I never feel lonely when you're near. Even if I don't win the Blue Ribbon. And the worst happens. You to say now, go to sleep. Good night. Long, Wilbur was asleep. Charlotte could tell by the sound of this breathing that he was sleeping peacefully in the strong. By now the fair was quiet and the people were gone. It was a good time for Charlotte to work. Though she was very tired, she worked quickly before she had another job to do. Before long, she finished writing in the web. To the end, the job finished. After she finished writing the new word in the web, she moved on to another project. It carried her far into the night. When she was finally finished, she was exhausted and she fell into a deep, deep sleep. Determine the winners of the Blue Ribbons. Judge Day of Wilbur's life. The winners of this and Charlotte's web. Humble. My goodness. Give that piggyback about a book back. It's okay. People are still going to come see them and what's written in the web. That's the spirit, Homer. I say we get to work. I'll give him his breakfast. I get the area. Homer, I think our sign needs to be a little more prominent. Prominently. It means more noticeable. It's probably for the voices of the cow. It sounds like somebody around here is going to get another award. Yeah. Mr. Homer's suffering. It says in the spider web. Yes, there are folks who might be trying to pay for that. Thank you. Appeared mysteriously on the spider web in Mr. Zuckerman's barn, calling the attention of all to the fact that this was some pig. Then came the word terrific and he is. Look at him. I eat today. The word humble. Once came this mysterious rating. This miracle has never been fully explained. We simply know that we are dealing with supernatural forces here. We should all feel pride and grateful. Now, ladies and gentlemen, most not take any more of your valuable time. On behalf of the governors of the fair, I take the honor of awarding the special prize of $25 to Mr. Zuckerman, Pansom bronze medal, which far outshines any blue ribbon to this radio. He gets these spells. He's modest and he can't stand praise. Well, I can't give a... I'll be running water. I'll celebrate the occasion by taking one last look around the midway. Sounds fine by me. Talking about, I'm done for. In a few days, I'll be dead. Charlotte, I'm so tired. I can't even climb up to my egg sack. Charlotte, my true friend. Come now, Wilbur. You alone to die. I shall stay too. Let you. Besides, even if you did stay, there would be no one to feed you. The fair runs would soon be empty and deserted. Wait. I have an idea. Listen to me. Charlotte is very ill. She will not be coming home with us. I must take her egg sack with me. I can't reach it and I cannot climb. Please, please, Templeton, get Charlotte's egg sack for me. What do you think I have, anyway? They'll be coming back soon. I will make you a promise. Get Charlotte's egg sack for me and I will let you eat first when Lurie flops me. First choice of everything in the trough. You mean that? I promise. I crossed my heart. All right. It's a deal. Use extreme caution. I don't want the same straw if you want to ride back home. You bet I'm going back home now that I get first choice of everything in the trough. We'll take care of Wilbur, Edith. You just put up the tailgate of the pickup. Oh, Charlotte. Martha, you and her neighbor get in the trough. We'll be along with them. I don't want those governors of the fair to think surprised when he picked left the mess board. The fair dodged to be a mighty fine fair. Mighty fine. The mess board I've ever run through, the very best one. Well, come on, Wilbur. Put some in the rest of her strength and wave goodbye to Wilbur. You are well. You're never moving again. As the ferris wheel was being taken apart and the race horses were being loaded into their vans and the entertainers were packing up their belongings and driving away in their trailers. Charlotte dodged. We're soon deserted. The fields, empty for Lorne, a spider, played the most important part of all. Not one of them was there with her when she died. Wilbur returned to his beloved barn. The animals were delighted with him. All through the fall and winter, Wilbur watched over Charlotte's egg sack as though he were guarding his own children. Patiently, he awaited the end of the winter and the coming of little spiders. He's been out there in the dark for those eggs to hatch. Sampleton, you would live longer if you ate less. Flows will live forever. You do the honors. Sprouting. Including yourself. Sleep over. It happens every... But I wish they would stay. Some of them anyway. I'm being deserted by Charlotte's children. There, there, there, Wilbur. They have to live their own lives, you know? Yes, I know. But I was just hoping that... Oh, never mind. Yeah. Salutations. Who said that? Me. See you too. Initial. A. Then my name is Arania. Pick a name out for me. Not too fancy. How about... Nelly? Welcome to your new home. It's a long story. And I'll tell you all about it. I'm going to take the medal off. Celebration of this very special day. I'm putting the medal where it rightfully belongs. Templeton, please put my medal on the hook where Charlotte's web is. Another favor. This is the last one. I promise. I know. Stop her children and her grandchildren dearly. None of them will ever take her place in my heart. She was in a class by herself. It's not very often someone comes along who's both a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.