Next fall when you see geese heading from the winter, flying along in "V" formation, you might
be interested to know 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 that if each bird flew on its own.

(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.)

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying 
to do 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 in 
the same way we are going.)

When the lead goose gets tired, he or she rotates back in the wing and another goose flies 
point.

(If pays to take turns doing hard jobs, with people or with geese flying south.)

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

(What do we say when we honk from behind?)

Finally, (now I want you to get this) when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shots and 
falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him.  They 
stay with him until either able to fly or until he is dead, and they then launch out of 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.)

Reprinted from "Rapport," the newsletter of the Technical Service
Council, edited by Silva Grad Paul Koellner.