The Goose Story

The Goose Story

Next autumn, when you look up at the sky, and see geese flying south for the winter, notice the V-formation they make.

Did you ever wonder why they fly this way ? As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift or pull that benefits the bird behind. Flying close to each other in a V makes it easier to fly. They get where they are going faster and with less effort.

Did you ever wonder why some smaller groups of look like they are trying to catch up to a large group a little further away ? The smaller the group, the harder it is to fly. The geese feel heavier, so they try to catch up with the larger group!

Did you ever wonder why they honk so much when they fly? Geese honk from behind to encourage the leaders to keep up their speed. But, when a leader gets tired, it goes to the back of the line and another goose takes over. Their formation breaks for a while. You may have noticed this too.

Did you ever wonder why at times a few geese seem to be flying alone, in small groups of twos or threes? When a goose gets shot or sick, it falls out of the group. Then, two other geese follow it to help and to protect it. They stay with the sick goose until it is better or dies. Then they fly off again, in twos or threes, in search of their group. Sometimes they join other groups instead.

Next spring when you see them return, think about their long journey and how they help each other. Working together, geese reach their goals more easily. Maybe we could learn something from geese.