The Story of the Fallen Goose

[Guest guest]

The Story of the Fallen Goose

This Fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in V

formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly

that way.

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates 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 WAY WE ARE.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing, and another goose

flies Point.

IT IS SENSIBLE TO TAKE TURNS DOING DEMANDING JOBS WITH PEOPLE OR WITH GEESE

FLYING SOUTH.

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

Finally, and this is important, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by

gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose

and follow it down to lend help and protection.

They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and

only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch

up with their group.

IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER

LIKE THAT.

~ " If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the

entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. "