This article discusses the author's observations of a lone goose interacting with a group of 35 ducks at a small pond near the author's office. The author watched as the goose joined the ducks in the shallow water and was accepted without incident, despite being larger and having different coloring and calls. The ducks did not react aggressively or exclude the goose, but instead went about their business while the goose stood proudly among them. The author reflects on how quickly and instinctually the birds accepted the goose's differences, without bullying or forcing it to the outskirts, and suggests humans could learn from their example of inclusiveness and tolerance towards those who are different.

1. Minnesota Women's Press Edition
Published in the April paper 2016
The lone goose in a tribe of ducks
by Susan Pettit
2016. This year seems to have a heightened level of fear, hatred, prejudice and bigotry making
all the news on the political landscape. So what about the lone goose who sits quietly among
the 35 ducks outside my office window? And, why should you care?
This spring, I've been witnessing the ice retreat and the water emerge ever so slowly. Each day
more and more wildlife (particularly ducks) find their way back to my little pond, drakes and
mallards all communing together. Sometimes the odd duck would appear. I would watch and
observe.
Then one day a lone goose appeared. It stood in the shallow water proudly surrounded by
difference. I waited for more like "it" to come. I waited to see how the 35 ducks who were clearly
smaller, looked different, and sounded different would respond to this lone intruder.
It got me thinking about how quickly acceptance, inclusion, and community was happening on
my little pond. Clearly Ms. Goose was not afraid of being outnumbered by the "tribe" of ducks
fluttering, flitting and floating all around her. She stood proudly in the center. Did she even know
that she was "different?" Did any of them care her neck was longer, her coloring different, that
she was bigger and her twerking and honking was different.
Was Ms. Goose afraid of this overpowering tribe? Did she need to stick her neck out, ruffle her
feathers and start honking "goose" insults for attention or recognition? She didn't. Her
differences were instinctually accepted without duck tribe bullying or even ostracizing her to the
outer fringe of the open water.
How did they know Ms. Goose was not a threat? What is in a duck's DNA that when they see a
bigger, more powerful, different colored, honking intruder they need to do nothing. Nothing but
swim, rub feathers, mind their own business and get along. Are they thinking there is enough
open water for all of us to frolick, dip and dive and enjoy the sunshine.
Eventually Ms. Goose did make her way to the edge of the open water unaffected and without
consequence. She watched as the tribe went about their business and then she flew away. She
will be back. Why wouldn't she? She will always have a place amongst her friends the ducks
even though she is a goose.
Susan Pettit lives in city name.