Human Insights from a Family of Geese.
When people ask me about my favourite place to be, and I want to be really specific, I mention sitting on my kayak, on the Chockpish River behind my cottage in New Brunswick.
I’ve written posts about my time here over the years, notably Stuck in the Mud? Don’t Wait for “MayDay” about an incident that has stayed with me for a long time, as well as From Upstream to Downstream in the FamBiz in which I raised some wealth transition lessons from a natural phenomenon.
But today I’m writing this post after a fresh experience that I had early on a Monday morning as I paddled along and came upon a family of geese.
Most of my blog writing occurs on Fridays and Saturdays each week, so for me to be working on next week’s post this early, you know that something resonated with me.
Just Minding My Own Business.
I woke up early and decided that the combination of the weather, the tides, and a light calendar of Zoom calls offered me an opportunity to get out there an explore the river just after sunrise.
It was a rare trip already when I met an oncoming canoe in the first 10 minutes, and I jokingly mentioned to the couple and their dog that I didn’t expect so much traffic.
Little did I know at the time that I was foreshadowing lots of honking!
Onward I went, minding my own business, when I approached what shall henceforth be called “Goose Island” heading south.
Mother Goose Shows Wisdom – Father Goose, Not So Much.
A family of Canada Geese were all on this small island, and one of the adults, who I assumed was Mom, saw me coming from afar and began heading to the far side of the island and into the water.
She was eyeing me the whole time, and seven of her brood slowly got up and followed her into the water, heading away from me, the oncoming perceived threat.
Nicely done, mama goose, I thought.
Then a moment later, I notice another adult, Father Goose, I assumed, who saw me a bit later, and who had three of their youngsters in his charge.
I had hoped that he would lead them away from me as well, but if that would’ve happened, there would’ve been no goosebumps nor story to tell.
Honk, Honk, Honk, He Bellows.
Father goose, with his three offspring, Tom, Dick, and Harriet, all enter the water on the side of the island where I’m trying to simply glide past them so as not to cause any unnecessary fear.
The incessant honking has now begun, as father goose is likely trying to scare me and also alert the mother of their goslings that there’s a danger in their midst.
They continue swimming south, trying to outrace me, and the honking gets more aggressive.
I’m trying to speed past them to put any fear at rest, but instead I’m seen as more of a threat as I accelerate.
I try widening my distance, but the narrowness of the river prevents me from doing so.
At one point, Dad even starts flying to get further ahead of me.
And then, suddenly, something changed.
The Rising Generation to the Rescue.
I looked down at my leg and noticed goosebumps, and was struck by the irony that they were caused by a goose, which I guess gives me a story to share if ever I’m on Jeopardy.
Suddenly one of the goslings, likely Harriet, decided to do a 180, and began swimming northbound, you know, the other way!
Her brothers did the same, I was finally past them, and Dad finally gave me a final honk, which sounded to me a bit like “honk off!”
Some Morals from this Story.
Aside from the fact that the gender attributions I made are mere guesswork, and that the whole affair didn’t last any more than a couple of minutes, I do have some take-aways.
Parents don’t always make the best decisions for their families.
What is perceived as a threat is not always a threat, and I was riled up by this too, as I did not want to get goosed!
Sometimes a well-timed move by one family member can end up benefitting the whole family, and often that member is part of the rising generation.
Later, as I passed Goose Island on my return, they all just watched me intently, with nary a honk. Phew!
