I know not how the stork, “leaning upon the sirocco,” makes a
leverage of the opposing element for her swift flight. I leave
the naturalist to explain that. But I do know that the sirocco
is a challenge to her unerring instinct and strength of wing.
God manipulates the wind. The stork manipulates her wings. And
the working of the combination results advantageously to the
stork. She does not lean upon the sirocco wind as you would lean
upon a couch. That would result in a fall and the bird would be
dashed in pieces. The leaning is accompanied by action. While
the buoyancy of the air bears her up, the balancing of the wings
bears her on. That air-cushion is no “downy bed of ease.” It is
a thing to be encountered and overcome. She makes the adversary
contribute to her progress. The thing from which men shrink is
the thing the bird dares.--C. J. GREENWOOD.
(2721)
=Resistance by Softness=--See SUBSTANCES, PENETRATING.