My family's experience with geese took place in the spring of 1982 when Matt was seven and Amy was six.  The previous year we had raised eight goslings.  They were cute little balls of down.  They were very likeable.  It was very disappointing when a raccoon helped himself to several.  One or two of the others provided me with a goose-plucking experience as I helped my wife, Margie, prepare for Thanksgiving dinner.

The next spring there were three survivors—one gander and two hens.  By this time the gander had become mean, and decided that he was master of the universe.  His kingdom included the front yard, which he tried to move into.  I worked to keep him out, but the gander continually looked for and located other access points.

One evening, with me gone, the gander got into the yard again.  Some chores needed to be done, but everyone was afraid to go out with the goose patrolling the yard.  Several of the kids were already terrified of him.  With Margie and the kids lined up at the window, a discussion was held about what to do.  Finally Matthew said, "I'm not afraid of the goose," and marched out the door.

The goose quickly chased him back in.

Amy then announced bravely, "I'm not afraid of the goose," and went out the door.  As the goose came at her she stood her ground well, but was also forced to retreat.  She, too, was chased back into the house, with the goose almost coming right in after her.

Next Margie said, "Well, I'm not afraid of the goose."  She didn't think he'd attack an adult.  She was mistaken.  He came at her with his head down, his neck outstretched, and with wings spread.  She said later that had the kids not been watching, she'd have run back into the house, too.

Instead, she kicked.  Her timing was good, and her kick was hard—right to the head.  The gander sat back on his tail feathers, wings stretched out full length for balance.  His head wove 'round and 'round at the end of his snakelike neck.  As equilibrium slowly returned, he made his way back to the pond and never again came near the yard.  He had met his master.