Storytime

Papa goose learns that when it comes to parenting, a little help goes a long way

Once upon a time, Connie the Canada Goose was busy caring for her eight goslings. All day, she helped them find food, took them swimming near Double Island in Georgian Bay, and protected them. At night, they slept beneath her wings. She was so exhausted that she slept, too.

Her job would have been easier if Norton would help, but every time she saw him, he was swimming about in the open, eating his way across the grass, or strutting along the shore, always alone. Connie would say, “Your job is to help with our goslings, Norton!” But Norton would say, “Not now. I’m starved.” Or, “Later, I’m going to take a nap.” Or “Bad timing—the water’s calling.”

Connie wondered how she could get Norton to do his part, that’s all she wanted. One day when she asked him to look after the goslings, he replied that he was going for a swim. “Perfect,” said Connie. “Take the group with you.” To her babies, she said,

“Go with your father.” She waddled o‰ before anyone could call her back.

Connie fell asleep beneath a maple bush but when she awoke, she panicked. Her babies! Were they safe? She raced towards the shore. As she emerged from the bushes, she heard happy sounds. Norton and the goslings were playing in the water. They were splashing and chasing one other. The little ones honked with delight. Norton was smiling as he left the water and waddled up to Connie. “I never knew these little flu‰ balls could be so delightful,” he said “It’s fun being a dad!”

“Being a dad also means caring for them and protecting them,” Connie reminded him.

“Well, that sounds like fun, too,” Norton answered. “I can do that. And I suggest that once a day one of us looks after the goslings while the other one takes a break.” And that is exactly what they did from then on.