A Lesson from the Geese

1.   As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift"
     for the bird following.  By flying in a "V" formation,
     the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each
     bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a 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.

2.   Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly
     feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone,
     and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage
     of the "lifting power" of the birds immediately in
     front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will go in
formations with those who are headed where we want to go.

3.   When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into
     the formation and another goose flies at the point
     position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing he hard tasks, and
sharing leadership - with people, as with geese, we are
interdependent with each other.

4.   The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage
     those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is
encouraging - not something less helpful.

5.   When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two
     geese drop out of formation and follow their fellow
     member down to help and provide protection.  They  
     stay with this member of the flock until he or she is
     either able to fly again or dies.  Then they launch out
     on their own, with another formation or to catch up
     with their own flock.

Lesson: If you have as much sense as the geese, you'll stand
by each other like that.

Source: Agricultural Notes, Issue 97
Merle W Boos, Editor, ELCS