Tempelton's Tale
My prologue for Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White
There once lived a rat named Templeton. He adored fruit and vegetables. They were so tasty and nutritious! They were the perfect food a rat could even dream of. But they were small and rare in the forest.
One day, as Templeton wandered the edge of the forest, he saw a huge field, filled with fresh vegetables. He scampered towards the field but then remembered his mother’s warnings. “Steer clear of humans,” she would always say. “They do not appreciate animals like us. And their murderous weapons are more dangerous than you could possibly imagine. Remember what happened to young Beatrice.”
But, the fresh fruit caught Templeton’s attention, like the song of a siren. He simply couldn’t resist that. Rows and rows of luscious fresh fruit and veggies lay waiting for him. Maybe, if he just took a few very quickly, no one would notice.
Templeton darted towards the field, quick as a cheetah, and managed to scavenge a couple of tomatoes and a potato. He rushed back to the forest and grinned greedily at his loot.
Templeton was very happy. These domesticated tomatoes were far bigger than any wild one he had ever seen. He ate them happily. In the dancing sunlight, Templeton spent the rest of the day sleeping or playing gaily.
For several days, Templeton merrily looted the fields. He then found out that they were a part of a farm:- Mr. Arable’s farm, It was owned by a family with two children.
It was rumoured, that Mr. Arable was one of the strictest farmers in town. Any wild animals that were found on his farm were put to death instantly.
This slightly off putting news hardly deterred Templeton’s regular raids of the farm, for after weeks and weeks the result was quite fruitful.
That day, when he went for his usual excursion at the farm, he jumped out of his skin and nearly froze with terror when his eyes fell on a bunch of humans.
Petrified with shock and terror, Templeton attempted to get away without being seen, but all was in vain. A little boy yelled, “Pop! Look! Look! A little mousie!”
“Where?” Mr Arable’s voice was loud and commanding. His tone instilled fear in all those around him. He had an unusually large build. Templeton had never seen such a big being. His limbs were strong and muscular. Templeton made one last failed attempt to escape.
The boy pointed at Templeton. Templeton quivered, for he knew the end was nearing. A little girl said, “Oh, Dad! Don’t kill him. He’s such a cute little thing.”
“No, Fern. This pest has been raiding and looting our farm for weeks now!” Mr. Arable spat. “I’m going to get my axe. Avery, Fern, watch that rat!”
The children nodded in unison. Templeton shivered with fear. He was cornered. There was no escaping. He tried one last time only to have his tail stamped on by Avery. He squealed in pain. Fern winced as he did so. Their father left.
Fern pointed. “Avery! Avery! Look! A pretty butterfly.”
Avery, who was rather fond of this type of insect jumped and turned around, giving Templeton enough time to escape. Not even wasting a second, Templeton eagerly scampered away. He was delighted at this stroke of luck.
Fern looked back when Templeton was gone. She smiled to herself. She had saved the little rat.
Tempelton howled as he returned to the forest. He decided that he’d never go back to Mr Arable’s farm again.
From this, he learned that the wild lacked any sympathy and he’d have to learn to fend for himself. He went to his spider friend, Arrabella. Arrabella lived on Zuckerman’s farm. He decided to live there instead. He smiled gaily.
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