On the road: Montana, part 6
Canadian wild geese, childhood memories and a song
My favorite photo motif here on the north shore of Flathead Lake are the Canadian wild geese that gather in the lake or the surrounding fields. I love their calls. They inevitably bring back fond memories.
Once upon a time
Some stories have an eternal life. At least in the minds and hearts of those who devoured them in books as a child and were wondrously touched by them.
“Nils Holgersson’s Wonderful Journey with the Wild Geese” is one such story for me. The novel by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf was first published in Stockholm in 1906. The main character is 14-year-old Nils Holgersson. He lives on a farm in the south of Sweden and is lazy and mischievous. One day, an angry imp turns him into an imp himself. Nils sets off on an adventurous journey through Sweden with a flock of wild geese on the back of the house goose Martin. Nils gets to know different places and landscapes as well as the history and culture of his homeland. This was Selma Lagerlöf's intention: She wrote the book as reading material for school lessons to teach children about the country. Nils helps many animals in need on the journey and develops a deep friendship with Martin and the wild geese. In the end, he is heartbroken to have to say goodbye to them. Back on the family farm, his parents want to slaughter goose Martin. But Nils won't allow it. He overcomes his shame that he is just an imp, steps in - and becomes a human again in that moment.
When I read the story as a girl, of course in German, it both kindled my thirst for adventure and moved me to tears. And I while writing this, I still feel that way today. My mother gave me the book decades ago, and I have stored it carefully. It stands on a shiny metal shelf in my living room in Berlin and has a light blue cover made of coarse linen. On the cover - only in white and black - is an image of Nils Holgersson riding on goose Martin. Surrounding them is the flock of wild geese.#
The 52-part animated series from 1980 based on the novel was also a success.
Present day
Here on the north shore of Flathead Lake, I hear the calls of Canadian wild geese every day. They fly over the house, either to the lake or back from it, to settle for the night in the open field away from the houses on Farm Road. If I'm fast enough, I capture them on video with my smartphone. Here are a few of the video clips:
And a song
It continues with wild geese in my memories.. Last but not least, a favorite song of my father's: Frankie Laine's “The Cry of the Wild Goose” from 1950, released long before my father and mother met. This song also makes my feet tingle and awakens nostalgic feelings in me. The most striking lines:
Tonight I heard the wild goose cry
Hanging north in the lonely sky.
Tried to sleep, it wasn't no use
Cause I am a brother to the old wild goose.
Oh, my heart knows what the wild goose knows.
And I must go where the wild goose goes.
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
A wandering foot or a heart at rest?
(..)
Spring is coming and the ice will break.
And I can't linger for a woman's sake.
She'll see a shadow pass overhead
And she'll find a feather 'side her bed.
This text was first published in German on my website.