This is a story I mentioned before but I thought it would be fun to tell it again in pictures. This happened to me 70 years ago.
A picnic with my Aunty Dorothy and cousins, a very hungry child, a white goose chasing me. I remember screaming and running as fast as the wind with my Aunty’s voice ringing in my ears, “Drop the sandwich, drop the sandwich!”
There she goes, silly girl, feeling the pain as the goose nipped the back of her leg, but eventually she threw her sandwich into the lake, upon which the goose gave up the chase and dived in after it. My Aunty gave me a wise piece of advice when I regained my composure, how little girls should immediately drop their sandwich when a goose takes an interest in it.




Rather a frightening experience for anyone, Denise let along a little girl but youu never forgot your Auntie's words. Take care.
ReplyDeleteNo, I never forgot her words, nor my aunty who was a lovely lady :)
DeleteThat’s something that definitely stays with you—I’m also afraid of swans if they get too close! It’s the kind of childhood experience that leaves a lasting impression; thanks for sharing! Have a lovely day,hugs, Elke.
ReplyDeleteThe memory embedded itself - fortunately it didn’t give me a phobia as I still love geese, though I am always wary of them, like you with swans. Now, crowds are something else entirely :) You have a lovely day too dear Elke, hugs Denise
DeleteHello Denise,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story and memory. Yes, I would drop the sandwich and run!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.
So glad Eileen, thank you and you would be very wise too :) You take care and have a wonderful weekend also.
DeleteI imagine as a child having a goose chase you would be terrifying. I don't know that I would have even have thought to drop the sandwich.
ReplyDeleteIt was and thankfully I finally heard my aunty’s voice as she raised the decibels :)
DeleteThat is a vivid memory indeed. How frightening it must have been.
ReplyDeleteIt left a lasting memory :)
DeleteWhat an experience! You can laugh now, but I bet you were very scared then.
ReplyDeleteTrue, it was one of those adventures I could have done without :)
DeleteScary! But something to remember for sure!! :-D
ReplyDeleteVery much so! Life’s experiences can be very important teachers :)
DeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne :)
DeleteDrop your sandwich could become a meme.
ReplyDeletelol!
DeleteOh, Denise, how frightening this must have been. It is a very cute re-enactment. I hope your auntie had another sandwich ready for you!!
ReplyDeleteI can’t remember eating another sandwich but I am sure she did :)
DeleteMOL MOL Denise
ReplyDeleteGeese and swans are very very very territorial and opportunist. Not to mention you were a tiny target.
One of the professor I worked with jogged every morning around a lake. Once he evidently got to close to a Swan's nest. The fowl chased him spewing foul language at him.
Hugs cecilia
Thank you for sharing the story about the professor, it gave me a smile though obviously I am glad he was okay :) hugs, Denise
DeleteThank you for sharing that memory and the sound advice of what to do with your sandwich when approached by a hungry swan. It must have been very scary at the time for you.
ReplyDeleteIt was but it taught me a valuable lesson at a very early age :)
DeleteYou really know how to put AI to work. I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marcia :)
DeleteGoodness! That must have been quite frightening!
ReplyDeleteWonderful images for your post.
Happy weekend wishes.
All the best Jan
It must have been. Thankfully children are resilient :) Thanks Jan, the same to you and all the best, Denise
DeleteI LOVE THIS! still laughing... If a duck chases me I will drop whatever food I have in hand, not geese in our yard. YET. ha haha
ReplyDeleteThat’s great Sandra. I am glad my tale gave you a laugh and that - dropping your sandwich - would be the smart thing to do. Mine was probably clenched and scrunched up in my fist. I am loving the stories you tell about your ducks :)
DeleteIn a lifetime of birding I have never observed behaviour such as this. Gulls are notorious food snatchers, of course.
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DeleteIt never happened again but you did make me curious so I looked it up. It happens and one thing I read was that because small children are practically at eye level with a goose, as the goose is more likely to bully a child. They also advise not to scream as this will ‘irritate’ a goose. Do not run as this causes their chase instinct. Throw away any food you may be holding as this will divert the goose. I broke many cardinal sins here apparently. Numerous other bits of information which was very enjoyable, so thank you :)
Now that is a well-told memory. It had to be very scary for a little girl -- good thinking on dropping the sandwich and getting out of there!
ReplyDeleteI guess my five year old mind finally figured it out :)
DeleteThat’s hilarious! Geese can get very aggressive.
ReplyDeleteYes they can but fortunately I see more of their gentle side :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful story, Denise. I truly loved that one. And I imagine you looked a lot like the little girl holding the sandwich. It's so nice that you remember this moment after 70 years, that's special, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheri :) so glad! I seem to have lots of vivid memories from when I was a child. Now what did I go into the next room for? lol!
Deletelolololol. Thank you for this post. I'm having my morning cuppa and really, really enjoyed the smiles. And, now I know what to do when a goose chases me. Drop the sandwich!
ReplyDeleteThere you go and I really appreciate all your comments :) thanks Ivy!
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