Wilbur was what farmers call a spring pig, which simply means that he was born in springtime.
When he was five weeks old, Mr. Arable said he was now pig enough to sell, and would have to be sold.
Fern broke down and wept.
But her father was firm about it.
Wilbur's appetite had increased;
he was beginning to eat scraps of food in addition to milk.
Mr. Arable was not willing to provide for him any longer.
He had already sold Wilbur's ten brother's and sisters.
"He's got to go, Fern," he said.
"You have had your fun raising a baby pig, but Wilbur is not a baby any longer and he has got to be sold."
"Call up the Zuckermans," suggested Mrs. Arable to Fern.
"You Uncle Homer sometimes raises a pig. And if Wilbur goes there to live, you can walk down the road and visit him as often as you like."
"How much monkey should I ask for him?"
Fern wanted to know.
"Well," said her father, "he's a runt. Tell your Uncle Homer you've got a pig you'll sell for six dollars, and see what he says."
It was soon arranged.
Fern phoned and got her Anut Edith, and her Aunt Edith hollered for Uncle Homer, and Uncle Homer came in from the barn and talked to Fern.
When he heard that the price was only six dollars, he said he would buy the pig.
Next day Wilbur was taken from his home under the apple tree and went to live in a manure pile in the cellar of Zuckerman's barn.
