Miles To Go

In the first flight of several young geese, in the migration going south… The Elder goose honked time to go, and several young ones wouldn’t come about. They knew everything. And could, naturally, do everything better on their own. The Elder knew they’d fight as fiercely for their freedoms, as anything he’d known. So he arranged for them to fly ahead, knowing he could keep them in his sights. He knew, it was time to stretch their wings and taste freedom in this flight… The young ones off to a bad start squabbled over who, among them would lead. The leader kept a straight line until exhausted, he and the others, couldn’t carry on. Coming down so exhausted, left them no chance for a protective lake to be found. Later unprotected, predators were arriving, as The Elder hurried the young ones off. He took them to a safe, beautiful lake, he knew just over the hill, beyond. Then The Elder explained that flying point, is as tiresome as flying in a direct line. And a puff of lift is heaven, when currents from wings ahead of you, are beating wide. Each ones beating wings give lift to those behind and slightly to the side… Don’t forget the leader needs to switch places or will become exhausted, with no lift. Now, a few becoming wiser, had left the young leader to join The Elders’ group. Others stayed, though now with eyes wide open, and much more wiser I am sure. The next day, not surprisingly, the young ones setting out gave the Elder his due. That lift was the greatest thing they had ever felt… Better than candy, if spoken true. And when the young ones started to land on a most beautifully, inviting lake… The Elder came rushing in to steer them away from the hunters that therein did await. Now, finally all the young ones acknowledged, the great wisdom of the old. With miles to go… No longer did they quibble over what they were told. My moral is: there are many ways to train the young to be responsible, I am sure... But experience speaks the loudest when they won’t listen with their ears.