Chapter 5

           Thenightseemedlong.Wilbur’sstomachwasemptyandhismindwasfull.Andwhenyourstomachisemptyandyourmindisfull,it’salwayshardtosleep.

           AdozentimesduringthenightWilburwokeandstaredintotheblackness,listeningtothesoundsandtryingtofigureoutwhattimeitwas.Abarnisneverperfectlyquiet.Evenatmidnightthereisusuallysomethingstirring.

           Thefirsttimehewoke,heheardTempletongnawingaholeinthegrainbin.Templeton’steethscrapedloudlyagainstthewoodandmadequitearacket."Thatcrazyrat!"thoughtWilbur."Whydoeshehavetostayupallnight,grindinghisclashersanddestroyingpeople’sproperty?Whycan’thegotosleep,likeanydecentanimal?"

           ThesecondtimeWilburwoke,heheardthegooseturningonhernestandchucklingtoherself.

           "Whattimeisit?"whisperedWilburtothegoose.

           "Probably-obably-obablyabouthalf-pasteleven,"saidthegoose."Whyaren’tyouasleep,Wilbur?"

           "Toomanythingsonmymind,"saidWilbur.

           "Well,"saidthegoose,"that’snotmytrouble.Ihavenothingatallonmymind,butI’vetoomanythingsundermybehind.Haveyouevertriedtosleepwhilesittingoneighteggs?"

           "No,"repliedWilbur."Isupposeitisuncomfortable.Howlongdoesittakeagooseeggtohatch?"

           "Approximately-oximatelythirtydays,alltold,"answeredthegoose."ButIcheatalittle.Onwarmafternoons,Ijustpullalittlestrawovertheeggsandgooutforawalk."

           Wilburyawnedandwentbacktosleep.Inhisdreamsheheardagainthevoicesaying,"I’llbeafriendtoyou.Gotosleep-you’llseemeinthemorning.