Part VII · Caring and Protecting
075 Draw the Danger Away
Hey Lapwing, when a dog or a fox comes near your eggs, you pretend your wing is broken and limp away in plain sight. It chases you, and the nest is left alone.
Who else takes the danger on themselves so others stay safe?
Would you draw the danger towards yourself to keep others safe?
On open ground, a few speckled eggs lie in a shallow scrape, almost invisible among the pebbles.
A dog comes sniffing near. Suddenly, a bird runs out in front of it, crying, one wing dragging as if broken.
What really happens
Lapwings and many of their plover relatives perform a distraction display when a predator nears their nest or chicks.
The parent flutters and limps in plain sight, as if injured. The predator follows the 'easy' prey away from the nest. Then the bird flies off, unharmed.
How we know: Distraction displays in lapwings and plovers are widely described by ornithologists.
The turn
Protecting others sometimes means stepping into the danger yourself.
Parents, teachers, leaders and friends do this quietly every day.
Three takeaways
- Real protection can mean taking the risk yourself.
- Lead danger away from those who cannot defend themselves.
- Be clever, not just brave.
Limp away in plain sight. Keep the nest safe.
… the palm of courage will surely be adjudged … to those, who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger.