“This is really awful,” thought Wilbur. “Why doesn’t Fern come?” He began to cry.

The goose took command and began to give orders. “Don’t just stand there, Wilbur! Dodge about, dodge about!” cried the goose.

“Skip around, run toward me, slip in and out, in and out, in and out! Make for the woods! Twist and turn!”

The cocker spaniel sprang for Wilbur’s hind leg. Wilbur jumped and ran. Lurvy reached out and grabbed.

Mrs. Zuckerman screamed at Lurvy. The goose cheered for Wilbur. Wilbur dodged between Lurvy’s legs.

Lurvy missed Wilbur and grabbed the spaniel instead. “Nicely done, nicely done!” cried the goose.

“Try it again, try it again!” “Run downhill!” suggested the cows. “Run toward me!” yelled the gander.

“Run uphill!” cried the sheep. “Turn and twist!” honked the goose. “Jump and dance!” said the rooster.

“Look out for Lurvy!” called the cows. “Look out for Zuckerman!” yelled the gander.

“Watch out for the dog!” cried the sheep. “Listen to me, listen to me!” screamed the goose.

Poor Wilbur was dazed and frightened by this hullabaloo. He didn’t like being the center of all this fuss.

He tried to follow the instructions his friends were giving him, but he couldn’t run downhill and uphill at the same time,