In it Together?

In the end we're all going the same way. The Chancellor repeated his phrase today in the Autumn Statement  : "We're all in it together." So rich and poor, high and low each in our own style we share the same goal and we will get there in the end. Politicans claim the pursuit of personal success benefits all in society and self- interest brings rewards to everyone. Viva competition. Some have reservations.

Perhaps Mr Osborne's been watching the daily corvine commute. Balancing the communal with the individual is what daws and rooks have been doing for thousands of years. In their case the journey can appear to have a ritual significance beyond the destination and the goal. Strung out across the morning sky they are agreed on the destination but there's no uniformity about the way they fly. A snapshot reveals many different poses, the groupings are constantly changing and individuals strive to be first. On the ground and in the trees arguments are always breaking out as they compete for advantage.

The morning flight is one of the most compelling wildlife sights of the region and one that is easy to see but rarely valued. You can't predict when a large flock of migrating geese will choose to pass over, nor when a waxwing invasion is imminent but this is most days. The great thing about the daws and rooks is that they guard their individuality while valuing the communal life. They travel at the same time and in the same direction but each  reserves the right to do it his way.

What a blessing they've never adopted money.