The traffic was moving steady for early afternoon until the car begins to slow in front of me. I tap my brakes and bring my Honda to a slower pace. I cannot tell what is causing the sudden traffic jam, but I figure there must be a Highway patrol officer on the road or an accident. I scan the shoulder of the highway searching for the culprit. It is then that I notice a car stopped on the side of the road and the female driver standing next to it. She is crouched over and staring at something on the ground. I immediately fear the worst and send out a prayer for someone who may be hurt and in need of help. As I get closer I see the object of the woman’s attention, thankfully it is not an injured party. The Good Samaritan is attempting to herd a goose and her three small goslings out of harm’s way and back to the safety of the river, which runs parallel to the highway. I admire her concern for the animal’s safety, but I question her decision to place her own life in danger.
Don’t get me wrong I like animals. I love to watch the Canadian geese as they fly in their V-shape formation as they migrate in the spring and fall. I admire the beauty of the animal and the unique teamwork that is displayed in their flight formation. The V-shape does not happen by chance. It is used to conserve energy and allow the birds to fly greater distances. “By taking advantage of the wing tip vortex of the bird in front, each bird can save energy by reducing drag. The energy savings in flight can be as much as 50%” (www.wbu.com). These amazing creatures accomplish an incredible feat of migrating as far as 5000 miles in one round trip. This trip could not be accomplished alone. They reach their destination each year solely because they travel in a group.
Human beings are no different. We need each other.
The woman who chose to help a goose and her small family knew that the safety of these animals depended on the intervention of another. The welfare of our children depends on the action of our communities. In 2012, there was an estimated 400,000 children in foster care (www.childwelfare.gov). This situation cannot be resolved unless we all do our part. We cannot reach our goal and destination of a family for every child unless we all give what we can. We must come together as a group, as a community, as a pack, as a family, and intervene on behalf of our voiceless children.
“Image courtesy of {rhamm}/FreeDigitalPhotos.net”
