Wild geese chase

You are nice to them, but they peck you. You give them what they want, but they want more, and they peck you, again and again.

It could be people I'm talking about, but today it's geese. Had a little walk in the forest today, and thought it would be nice to take some of the old bread to feed the cold and hungry birds near the lake.

I approached slowly, and saw a duck couple swimming together. As soon as I neared, they neared me too. As soon as I threw some bread pieces into the water, they dashed toward the bread and were no longer a couple. It was every duck for itself.

Then came the crows, hovering above, croaking. A gathering swarm, almost darkening the sunset sky with their shiny black wings. And their croaks alerted the cranes, four of which silently tocuhed down in around me and stood tall on their thin legs and hoisted their long beaks. They dared not near me, and were ever so cautious. Even when I threw bread in their direction, they stood silent and still. Crows were braver and dove for the free food on the grass, getting there before the gray doves did.

Then someone alerted the gang of geese. And the suddenly air filled with loud, ever-louder cackles and quacks. A dozen, or three, a whole mob of them, started to run, hurtle and wobble toward me. The noise was unbearable, and I felt embarassed that I had disturbed the peace and calm that hung in the lazy dusking afternoon. As the gang of geese got closer, they spread their wings and lenghthened their necks, opened their beaks and hissed. The geese actually hissed, and perhaps even spitting.

I was too slow spreading the bread around. Soon enough the gang of geese surrounded me, and I was trapped, in the midst of loud hissing and ear-annoying cackling. And I was getting afraid. I trembled as I tore the bread slices into small pieces so that it would be easier for them to swallow, but the geese were not pleased. And peck they did. And it hurt, even through the thick of lining of my jeans, the attack of the geese hurt.

My saviour came, and the geese dispersed. Gracefully, the king of the birds, two snow-white swans floated by, stretched their long necks to see what the mob and fuss was all about. When they approached, all other birds shunned aside, leaving the way and water free for the swans to majestically pass.


I tossed the remaining bread on the ground, and fled.