When I was a child, I lived in a house that sat on the corner of my grandfather’s farm. Lots of interesting things happened on that farm. Memories of that time are mostly sweet, but this week I want to share a memory that scared me half to death.

One spring when I was about nine years old, a flock of Canada Geese stopped to nest by the pond in the barnyard. I loved to go to that pond and watch the geese, gosling, ducks, ducklings and other creatures that made their home there. There were turtles, frogs, tadpoles, dragonflies, and at night the area was lit up by fireflies. And, of course, the Canada Geese made nests there.

I was a familiar sight to the domestic ducks and geese that lived in the barnyard. They paid little attention to the small girl who walked close to their nests and babies. The Canada Geese were not used to people being close to their goslings, and that’s were my problem began.

The day was bright and sunny and all the farmyard babies were being born. Seeing all the fuzzy creatures made me quite curious. I clambered over the fence and walked close to the pond.

Suddenly, I was facing a hissing gander that flew directly at me, beating his wings. I turned, screaming, dived under the split rail fence and ran for the house.

Grandma came out of the house on the run, a tea towel flapping in the breeze. She hurried toward me, her brow puckered, her eyes wide with fear. I ran to her and threw my arms around her waist. She stroked my hair as I sobbed out my frightening experience. Finally, my trembling ceased. She took my hand and we walked to the house.

Grandma assured me that the gander was only protecting his family and never really meant to hurt me. He only wanted to chase me away. When I dove under the fence, he quit the chase.

Looking back, I laugh at the incident. But many years ago, when I was a young girl, it was a very horrific experience. Never again did I approach a Canada Goose that was nesting. I had learned a valuable lesson about disturbing waterfowl when they were sitting their nest.

If you would like to join the I Remember When meme, please visit Speaking from the Heart. It's a lot of fun stepping back in time through our memories. ~Blessings, Mary~