Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying
along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered
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 71percent 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
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 as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation
with those people who are headed the same way we are.-
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and
another goose flie point.
--It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with
people or with geese flying south.--
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed.
--What messages do we give when we honk from behind?--
Finally_and this is important_when a goose gets sick or is wounded
by gunshot, 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 group.
--If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like
that.--