The recent cinematic retelling of E.B. White’s classic Charlotte’s Web has a nice scene for anybody interested in pondering the intelligent design debates.
For those who need a brief refresher, Fern is the owner of Wilbur the pig. Charlotte the spider has befriended Wilbur and is trying to save him from becoming a Christmas ham by writing suggestive phrases in her webs like “Some pig”. Needless to say this captures the attention of the town which is amazed at such miraculous actions by a spider.
So with that background in mind, Fern’s mom goes to the doctor and marvels at the words that have been appearing in the spider’s web. It is a miracle, she suggests. To this the doc replies: “The web itself is a miracle. Wouldn’t you agree?” When Fern’s mom looks at him skeptically he retorts, “Well can you spin one?” She lamely replies, “I can crochet a doily.”
With this the doctor takes on a satisfied smile. “Because someone taught you how. Nobody teaches a spider. They just know how to spin a web. Don’t you think that’s a miracle?”
Well said Doc, well said.
