Summary

Chapter 3, “Escape.”

The author opens Chapter 3 describing the new surroundings and home for Wilbur in the Zuckermans’ barn. The barn is very old and large. The main floor of the barn has stalls for horses and tie-ups for cows, and down below, in the cellar, there is a sheepfold and pigpen for Wilbur. Wilbur’s home is situated on a manure pile below the cows on the main floor on the south side of the cellar.

Fern comes almost every day to visit Wilbur. She finds an old milking stool which she places next to Wilbur’s pen and sits quietly there every afternoon, watching and listening to Wilbur. Soon, Fern befriends the other animals of the farm and is trusted by them as well. One afternoon, when Fern does not arrive, Wilbur becomes restless. He wanders around his fence and a goose convinces him...