"Lessons from the Geese" a Story for the Knights of the Pain Table
Lessons from the Geese
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 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 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 stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
When the Head Goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement is the quality of honking we seek.
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 as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
By Dr. Robert McNeish in 1972 This story has been attributed to a number of authors but an article by Sue Widemark outlines her research to find the true author, Dr. Robert McNeish. To read this researched article and more about the facts in this story please visit Sue’s website.
Missive from Lady Sharon (Knight of the Pain Table)
This story may seem rather simplistic. On the surface it seems easy to be part of a team. But there is a great deal more in those lines. Anyone who has truly had a moment where they were part of an exceptional team will understand the true depth of these lessons. I think some professions such as those that protect such as Police, Security, or Military, have to truly understand these lessons since their lives or the lives of others depend on the working of the team.
At the heart of the story we feel compassion, understanding and kindness. I think the last section that describes the actions of the other geese when a goose gets sick or is wounded, is the most profound. Anyone can appear to be kind or compassionate when things are going well and the journey is smooth. But when tragedy strikes or something uncomfortable happens, how many people will give up their safety or their time or their ego to help a fallen goose?
For those of you who have suffered great pain, or a prolonged illness, you understand what it is like to be an injured goose and be left behind. Did anyone stay behind with you till you could fly? Or did many just fly away? It is sad to be left behind.
If we can all aspire to be true Knights then no one will ever be left behind. For compassion links us all, and to hurt another is to hurt ourselves. If we have had love around us then we should feel blessed, and thus continue to share that love. If we have had little love around us, then we can decide to bestow our compassion on others so they will not have to feel what we have felt. It is never too late to bring more compassion to this world.
P.S. I think maybe geese learn lessons from us humans too. Watch this group of geese and see what you think they are trying to do. I think they might be shopping at the mall for back to school gosling shoes. Watch the guy at the beginning. He is carrying their bag of gosling running shoes. Thanks to Choo Choo who posted this video to youtube. For more information on Canadian Geese. check out her website
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