This morning, as I was being walked by my sweet goldendoodle, I glanced up and saw a Canadian goose flying alone. I live next to a lake, so we often see lots of geese. Usually, they travel in pairs or fly in formation. Knowing that these geese mate for life, I was sad to hear this lone goose honking wildly. It was probably looking for, or grieving a lost mate, or was searching for its flock. I truly hope it found who it was looking for.
Over the years, I have become quite fond of geese.
Why birds fly in formation.
We have all heard the term “birdbrain.” It’s a phrase meaning that someone is acting stupidly. Many people think birds aren’t smart. In fact, there is a myth that turkeys will look up during a rainstorm, open their mouths, stay that way, and drown. I guess some birds are smarter than others, but I think we can all learn from Canadian Geese.
When geese are traveling, they will fly in a “V” formation. When migrating, these birds can travel up to 1,500 miles in a single day if weather is favorable. This makes quick work of a 3,000-mile winter migration. The birds toward the end of the formation like to honk loudly to encourage the birds ahead to keep moving at a fast clip and not slow down.
But how does the “V” formation work?
And why do I love geese so much?
In a “V” formation, there is one lead goose at the point, with two divergent lines of birds following behind. Each bird positions itself to fly slightly higher than the bird directly in front of it. This cuts wind resistance and creates a lifting power that helps birds conserve energy and travel further. Birds take turns being the lead bird. When the lead bird tires, it drops back in line and another bird will move up to take its place.
But this is what I find most inspirational about Canadian Geese flying in formation.
If a bird becomes tired or injured, and needs to drop out of formation, two birds will drop out of formation with it and stay with the third bird to offer help and protection. In fact, these two geese will stay with the bird until it can once again fly, or until it dies. When the two, or hopefully three birds, are ready to continue their journey, they will take their place in a new formation, and travel with them. If all goes according to plan, they will eventually meet up with their original group.
These Canadian Geese inspire me.
Ok. So, what does this mean for us?
Most of us lead very busy lives. But we depend on others to help us move at a good speed. If you are on the self-checkout line at the grocery store, you usually won’t dawdle so you don’t hold up the line. If you’re driving on a highway, you keep up with the traffic so that everyone can drive smoothly at a safe speed. Even walking in a fast-paced city like New York, you walk so as not to slow down others.
But it would be great if we could help others who are clearly having trouble and slowing down. If someone is walking through a door, carrying lots of packages, hold the door for that person. If a person clearly needs help, for example, you see an elderly person in the supermarket looking confused or lost, take a few minutes to ask them if they need help. Find them help if they need it. A little kindness may seem like nothing to you, but it may mean the world to a person needing aid or just a kind word.
By doing this, you will also set a noble example for your children. Imagine if a child needed company at a lunch table—how proud you would be if your child was the one to say to a friend, “Hey, let’s go over and have lunch with Liz today.”
Or if a boy was being teased how wonderful would it be for your child to share a friendly smile and offer a kind word!
Mom was like that.
Years ago, when I was 7, I was sleeping in the back of my family’s car. We had left my grandmother’s apartment in Manhattan and were headed back to Brooklyn. It was about midnight, and the streets were dark and deserted. Really deserted. This was way before cell phones and Alexa.
I awoke to hear my mother tell my father to pull over to the phone booth ahead. We had just passed a group of teens who were throwing rocks at a homeless man. My mother wanted to call the police. And she did. I have never forgotten that.
Canadian Geese know how to fly in formation.
How they learn to do this, I don’t know. But I know, in a way, humans also fly in formation. Living up to our responsibilities, welcoming others into our flock, and helping others when needed, will surely make this journey better for all of us.
