Goose

A Story about the Goose that made Will and Guy Think

The Goose Story:

The
next time
you see Geese
heading South for
the Winter, flying along
in V formation, you might
consider what science has dis-
covered 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 way we are.

When
the Head 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.

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.

Picture of a Canadian Goose with Goslings

Interesting Facts about the Goose

There are lots of lovely names associated with goose.  The male is the gander, and the eggs hatch into goslings.  When in flight the group are called a 'gaggle of geese'. 

There aren't that many animals where the singular and pleural words have different stems, mouse and mice are the only other pair that come to mind.  Also, there are probably only a handful animals which take their name from the female of the species, apart from goose, cow is the only other example that I can think of.

This interesting variety of names tells me that the English must have a very old association with the goose.  For example, old-timers tell me that in their youth goose was more highly prized than chicken or turkey, especially at Christmas and Michaelmas.

• More clean jokes and one-liners for May

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