Wilbur, Wilbur, Wilbur

     When I found this book boxed up at my parents house, I felt sad that I had left it behind when I moved out. This book is such a classic. I did not know that the author who wrote this book also wrote Stuart Little! No wonder I really liked both of those stories and the movies they were later on developed into. Most of us have read Charlotte's Web, heard of it, or maybe even saw the movie. As I began reading, it was all coming back to me. I remember being jealous that Fern had a little pig as a pet. He looked so cute! I really wanted a little pig of my own.
     I love the way Fern was so compassionate and persistent about Wilbur. A pig she had never met or seen before. It really reminded me how kids are so caring about things they love and, at all cost, will protect the thing that they truly have passion for. Fern is so headstrong and caring. This is a great combination that sometimes results in stubbornness. This can be good and also bad at the same time. For Fern, it paid off. She got a new little friend to take care of and nurture. I wondered how she made her father change his perspective about Wilbur. He was so sure that they were going to get rid of him because he was not useful, but Fern changed his mind and won him over. I think that she made him really look at Fern's perspective and find at least a little compassion for her and this animal. As adults, we can learn so much from children. They are sometimes our teachers too and it is important to keep this in mind as future teachers. Sometimes we think kids are dramatic, but they are just passionate. When Fern is trying to save Wilbur and her father tells her to control herself, Fern screams, "This is a matter of life and death, and you talk about controlling myself" (p.2). She is trying to show just how much she cares for this little pig and its life.
     I wonder if her father let her keep the pig so she could learn more about responsibility. If he was trying to test her, she definitely passed with flying colors! She fed that pig three times a day and treated him like he was her baby. I think this speaks volumes to what kids are capable of if they put their whole heart into it and love it. I think that even if she did fail, she still would have learned a value lesson about responsibility. All children need to learn this and one way they learn is by failing.