Intro-

After the five golden rings, lies six geese. Six Geese-a-laying. Basically, we will define a Goose with the help of Wikipedia. Proficiently lost to interpretations, and diverging from culinary cuisine (as some interpretations of the 12 Days, insistently refer to birds as food). I thought it interesting Gold was next to Geese in the song. So I advanced to the story of The Golden Goose.

Basic-

A goose (pl.: geese) is a bird of any of several waterfowl species in the family Anatidae. This group comprises the genera Anser (grey geese and white geese) and Branta (black geese). Some members of the Tadorninae subfamily (e.g., Egyptian goose, Orinoco goose) are commonly called geese, but are not considered "true geese" taxonomically. More distantly related members of the family Anatidae are swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller.

The term "goose" may refer to such bird of either sex, but when paired with "gander", refers specifically to a female one (the latter referring to a male). Young birds before fledging are called goslings. The collective noun for a group of geese on the ground is a gaggle; when in flight, they are called a skein, a team, or a wedge; when flying close together, they are called a plump. Wikipedia Goose

Proficient-

Okay, so there are two distinct versions of “Golden Goose”. The Golden Goose; and The Goose that Laid Golden Eggs.

A man and his wife have three sons, the youngest of whom is named Dummling because he is neither handsome nor strong like his elder brothers. The eldest brother is sent into the forest to chop wood, equipped with a rich cake and a bottle of wine. He encounters a little gray man who asks for food and drink but is rudely refused. The eldest brother later injures his arm while cutting a tree and is taken home. The second brother suffers a similar fate, injuring his leg. Dummling, sent out with a burned biscuit and soured beer, generously shares his meager meal with the little old man, who transforms the biscuit and beer into a fine cake and wine. For his kindness, Dummling receives a golden goose found within the roots of a tree he cuts down, guided by the little gray man.

Dummling brings the golden goose to an inn for the night. Upon seeing the goose, the innkeeper's three daughters decide to steal some golden feathers when Dummling goes to sleep. While Dummling is sleeping, the eldest daughter tries to pluck one golden feather but becomes stuck to the goose. The second daughter also tries plucking a feather, but gets stuck to her sister. The youngest daughter tries to help her sisters and becomes stuck as well. The next morning, Dummling departs with the golden goose under his arm, followed by the innkeeper's three daughters. A parson, his sexton, and two labourers interfere, only to get stuck to the parade too.

In a nearby castle, there lives a King whose daughter has never smiled nor laughed. The king promises her hand in marriage to anyone who can make her laugh. Sitting by the window, the Princess sees the parade staggering after Dummling and his golden goose and bursts out laughing.

Aesop Version, Perry Index #87

"A farmer had a Hen that laid a golden egg every day. He supposed that the Hen must contain a great lump of gold in its inside, and in order to get the gold he killed [her]. Having done so, he found to his surprise that the Hen differed in no respect from their other hens. The foolish farmer, thus hoping to become rich all at once, deprived of the gain of which were assured day by day."

The story is about a farmer who kills his goose in an attempt to get all of its golden eggs at once, only to find that the goose is dead and contains no eggs. The story teaches that those who are greedy and try to get more than they are entitled to will end up losing everything they have.

Advanced-

Years of separation between the two versions of the stories is unknown. I’ll take a wild guess, and say Aesop pre-dates Dummling. Moral lesson being, "Kill not the Goose that Laid Golden Eggs", which refers to the short-sighted destruction of a valuable resource.

Other Goose topics include. Silly Goose, Cooked Goose, Bumps, Wild, Flock. Interesting V. And once again getting sucked into the research. The

#6 playlist song- “While You See a Chance” by. Steve Winwood. (an old song, previously not appreciated by moI. I herd it while perusing poultry at a grocery store.) The lyrics reminds me of the courage it takes to embrace life. Balance. Taking time to appreciate Life and to make it the I-Way. “Stand up on a clear blue morning until you can see what can be alone in a cold day dawning.” Are you free? can you be?

Don't you know by now
No one gives you anything?
And don't you wonder how you keep on moving?
One more day
Your way
Whoa, your way