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Stories:
The Goose Story
Next fall, when you see geese heading
south for the winter -- flying along in V formation -- you might consider what
science has discovered a 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% more flying range, that 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 traveling 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 a 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; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another
formation to catch up with their own group.
If we have the sense of a goose we will
stand behind each other like that.
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