What The Geese Taught Me

--by JZ, posted May 26, 2007

Next 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 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 a 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 Head Goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

It's 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.

What do we say when we honk from behind?

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; 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.

33.2K Reads

Posted by JZ
May 26, 2007
Comments (43)

Readers Comments

bearhug wrote: what a super inspirational article... pls keep posting...

cheers sheetal

EePee wrote: THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this wonderful article.
E

Aurelia wrote: Very inspirational. I never knew any of that and it's great how it can help us in our own lives to take the lead from a goose!

lovebug wrote: Insightful is the word I would use for you, thank you for sharing your knowledge

tenderheart wrote: awww. inspirational. I wish that we were like the gooose to everyone. thanks for sharing. I will try to practice it. :)

Susan wrote: Wow, I am amazed. Every time I hear things like this it always puts me in my place of where I really am in the scheme of life.

auntydot wrote: I truely believe we have so much to learn from Mother nature,we have barely tipped the point yet.If only the birds and animals could speak, what a peaceful and much more caring world this would be.

maverick wrote: Great lesson of teamwork human being needs to learn from the birds. It needs to be told thousand times to drive home the point! Kudos!

maverick wrote: The story gives a lesson. TEAMWORK always work!

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