Eric & Erica the Egyptian Geese— Tales from the Riverbank

It was love at first sight for Eric and Erica, the Egyptian geese. Less honky tonk than honk honk honk.

Every day they perch on the riverbank, watching the boats, the swans, the ducks, the pigeons, and the gulls go by.

Eric stands on one leg for a while, taking a nap. Then Erica stands on one leg for a while, taking her nap. Sometimes they synchronise, tucking up one inner leg each.

Often, they hang around near the apartment block riverside door, waiting for humans to appear. They only like the ones carrying bread lumps or seeds. The others they consider annoying. Teasers. They think that if you are human-shaped, you should be carrying something edible with you. Preferably something edible, you will toss it their way.

But humans are not as annoying as dogs. Dogs chase Eric and Erica. Honking and flapping do the trick; that sees the enthusiastic furry creatures off.

There is a certain haughtiness to Eric and Erica. Perhaps this is as a result of the ancient Egyptians considering their ancestors to be sacred. They are a native species of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Egypt south of the Nile Valley. It was believed the geese were messengers between heaven and earth (perhaps this is why they are so loud, so everyone can hear).