Next fall when you see geese
heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation you might be
interested in knowing what science has 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 a V formation, the whole
flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share 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 into formation to take advantage of
the lifting power of the bird immediately 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 going.
When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another
goose flies point. It pays to take turns doing hard jobs.
The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed. An encouraging word goes a long way.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by a gun shot, 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 they launch out
on their own or with another formation to catch up with the group. If we have
the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
~Unknown~
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