The Wisdom of Flying Geese
In the Spring, when you see geese heading North for the Summer or South
in the Fall, flying along in "V" formation, you might be interested
in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way.
It has been learned that 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.
Basic Truth #1- People who share a common direction and sense of
community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are
traveling on the thrust of one another.
Whenever 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 immediately in front.
Basic Truth #2- If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay
in formation with those who are heading in the same direction as we are.
When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another
goose flies point.
Basic Truth #3- It pays to take turns doing hard jobs, with people
or with flying geese.
These geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed.
Basic Truth #4- We need to be careful what we say when we honk from
behind.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out,
two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect
him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead,
and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they
catch up with their group.
Final Truth- If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each
other, protect one another and sometimes make new friends who seem to be
going in our direction.
Author unknown