It's February... A Friendship Book

  “Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.'
You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.”  

The month of February arrived and everywhere we are surrounded by hearts, chocolates and plush toys and other trinkets created to represent the love and friendship we feel for others.  But these are emotions that a material gift can never encompass its true meaning.   Henry David Thoreau stated that "The language of friendship is not words but meanings."  
     When I think about the books that show true friendship, the one that comes into my mind is the modern classic Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.  This novel  won the Newbery Honor Award in 1953.  While the winner of that year award Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark, is mostly forgotten by contemporary readers, Charlotte's Web has withstood the test of time and is still enjoyed by children and adults.
     Movies have been made based on this heartwarming classic being my favorite the Hannah Barbera's animated version of 1973.  To me it is the best for it followed very closely the plot of the story.
    This novel presents the friendship of two very unlikely pair- a spider and a pig.  Charlotte is a very secure spider with an extraordinary linguistic ability who befriends Wilbur,  a very insecure and scared pig who has been separated from Fern who he had considered his protector and friend.  It is Charlotte who teaches Wilbur the true meaning of life and even saves him from death.
     Charlotte never abandoned Wilbur and kept her promise to save his life. And when her cycle of life was near an end, she never faltered or lamented her fate teaching children and adult as well to accept  life and value what we have.  It also teaches that true friendship doesn't end in death, for still after years of Charlotte's physical absence, she was still greatly remembered by Wilbur.
    My favorite lines are the closing which summarizes the essence of true friendship within these unforgettable characters.  The novel ends “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer." And Charlotte was both.to Wilbur
     I received a copy of this novel after I completed by undergraduate studies.  It was a gift from a very special friend.  A friend who like Charlotte has helped me in times of need, quietly, but always keeping her promises.  It has been a friendship that has grown throughout the years into a sisterhood where our children are seen as family members and not the children of two good friends.
     Many books written for children and young adults present the different facets of friendship.  So instead of eating chocolates or placing plush toys in a long forgotten place after the 14th and even after the flowers have withered, a good book will withstand the trials of time.  This month read a book that reflects the beauty of friendship or love.
     What book would you read in this month of friendship and love?