This weekend, the theater department at Interlochen Arts Academy will present the musical "Into the Woods." Stephen Sondheim's lyrics are full of life lessons: "Be careful what you wish for." "Actions have unforeseen consequences." "Choose your path carefully."
There really can be danger in the woods. For birds in the trees, there are "giants in the sky" — hawks, falcons and owls. If a little bird becomes aware of a predator, instead of hiding, he gives what animal behaviorists call a "mobbing call." And because no one is alone, when one bird sounds the call other birds rush to the site screaming and swirling and doing everything they can do to harass the predator.
Often, mobbing birds simply drive the predator away. A swirling mob of little birds certainly removes the possibility of a stealth attack.
But mobbing has another important function. Mobbing is the way adult birds teach their fledglings to recognize the big, tall, terrible "giants in the sky." And their "children will listen," see and learn.
This time of year, many parents and grandparents in our community make generous contributions to IPR. Do they tell the children that they support public radio? And why? Because "children will listen," and see... and learn.
I wish.
