QUOTES TO LIVE BY
Lesson From A Swan
In the fullness of time flying high will happen but not before
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu
Many a time have I watched water birds as they preen in and around their habitat. They could be in the vicinity of a lake, a river, a stream, or in this instance as shown in the featured image, in an RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) nature park in England.
This particular instance, though, watching this swan preen and preen and preen seemed interminable. I could see that its feathers are pristine white. Well-groomed. Well-oiled.
Because of the length of time the swan spent in grooming, I surmised that the oil from its preening gland under its tail feathers must have been all consumed. Surely, I thought, the swan had already waterproofed all its feathers.
But what do I know? The swan was not in a hurry. Obviously. Preening must be done with patience, close to perfection or the purpose of preening would be defeated.
Swans need to preen to maintain the overall health of their feathers. Preen oil helps to waterproof and make their feathers flexible. This way, the feathers are prevented from becoming brittle or they may break. How can swans fly with broken feathers?
Preening also keeps the feathers clean of bacteria and parasites which is why most water birds start preening as soon as they get out of the water.
Waterproofed feathers, needless to say, are crucial for the swan’s survival. The same is true for all other birds, be they aquatic or terrestrial.
Nature cannot be hurried
The swan takes its time preening and grooming itself. It does not show impatience. Somehow, the swan seems to know that nature should not be hurried. Haphazard preening could and might lead to half-baked protection.
And so, this graceful bird just keeps oiling its feathers until it is time — the proper time — to fly high with success. No worries about brittle or broken feathers or worse, falling from the sky.
The swan knows the moment when it can spread its wings, soar and fly towards greatness in the fullness of time.
