HOW MUCH OF A GOOSE ARE YOU?

Next Autumn, when you see geese heading to warmer climes for the winter, flying in a V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

·            As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

·            By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

·            When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same was as we are.

·            When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back in the V and another goose flies the lead.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs with people or with geese flying south.

·            Geese honk from behind to encourage those up the front to keep up their speed.

What do we say when we honk from behind?

·            Finally – and this is important – when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shots, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend a hand and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or it dies, and only then do they launch on their own, or with another formation, to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose we will stand together like that!

Source Unknown

Emergency Librarian 1991