The white geese who were always very curious and bossy desired to know what Cliffrose was talking about. Part of the group consisting of Jacaranda, Snowbell, and Tulip marched to Cliffrose to ask her. Cliffrose was scared of the three white geese as they were not on very good terms with the older group.

So off when Cliffrose leaving the three white geese indignant at her flight. They decided to send the two youngest of the group, Rosewood and Hibiscus. Once again when Cliffrose was approached she was scared and she fled. The two geese although being rather small were still a force to be reckoned with and that force was one that Cliffrose was not going to face alone.

Boxelder Maple was a small gander of the flock and was also the youngest. He was son to Black Cherry and Siberian Elm. He was not part of the same group as his parents and would even fight with them. He took to often fighting with Black Cherry and despite his size proved to be a worthy opponent. He at first could not win against Black Cherry but eventually he was the one who won the fights. He would not readily forgive his attacker and would pursue and even continue holding on to his opponent until he felt that he had done enough to make his opponent think twice about challenging him.

He did not have his way with Eastern Redbud for Redbud had battled many ganders of different sizes, ages, and personalities and had plenty of skill in battle because of this. Boxelder managed to beat off Baldcypress every now and then but had to then face Redbud and he would rather flee than challenge him.

Boxelder had a hard time convincing any of the ladies of the flock to be with him despite his skill in battle because he was small. The females including the smaller ones preferred the bigger ganders.

One day a young goose was released into the flock. She had several defects and had a hard time navigating and understanding the language of the geese. Boxelder loved her when first he saw her and followed her and talked to her. Eventually the young goose came to understand a little bit of the language and could sort of talk to him.

Over time she understood it completely and loved Boxelder. Boxelder due to his ferocity kept the young goose safe from attackers and the white geese began to accept the young goose into the flock. Southern Magnolia and American Snowbell were the most un-willing to accept the goose in the beginning but even they began to get used to her and tolerate her.

The young goose finally told Boxelder that her name was Terebinth. Boxelder saw that her lineage was that of Gingko's. 

Terebinth was very sweet but because of her defects was easily spooked and did not react well to being pecked. She was fully-feathered out but usually did not keep herself as clean as the other geese though when she finally came to love Boxelder she put more effort into making herself presentable.

Boxelder seeing that Terebinth would not eat the grass that sprung up through the leaves upon the ground showed her it and convinced her to try some. She was not thrilled with it but Boxelder persistently showed it to her and tried to get her to eat some. Eventually she came to love it as much as the other geese. She became happier and healthier when she started eating grass. 

Terebinth in her turn showed Boxelder boiled eggs and was persistent as well until he too loved boiled eggs.

Terebinth would eventually even start laying eggs though she did not lay very frequently. She came to love goslings as much as her mother Gingko. Boxelder, however, did not care much for them. 

Boxelder calmed down finally and was less of a troublemaker in the flock though he would still fight if anyone threatened Terebinth. Some of the older ganders came to like Boxelder because he was less annoying and vicious. Redbud would talk to Boxelder and Terebinth and so would Cherry and Cypress. The other young ganders Rowan and Buckeye ignored him still and the rest of the ganders and hung out with the white geese.

--
In honor of Terebinth my sweet goose who although she has defects will not give up.

The sun had risen quite high into the sky. It was about noon. The sky was blue with a few fluffy white clouds dotting its blueness. A decent portion of Willow's Flock was gathered around a white-flowered Crape myrtle. Despite it not being very big it had bloomed prolifically that year. This group consisted of three ganders: European Rowan, Ohio Buckeye, and Boxelder Maple. The majority of geese present around the young tree, however, were ladies. All five of the white geese were present. There was Japanese Zelkova, Hawaiian Hibiscus, Brazilian Rosewood, Nutmeg Hickory, and Green Ash.

​Most of the ladies were still undecided about which gander they wanted to be with. The youngest of the ladies liked Boxelder Maple because of his lean, tall self and dark stripe running down from his head along the back of his neck. Some liked European Rowan because of his decent size and knob. And his voice and proud personality. But even more admired Ohio Buckeye because of his gentleness. Though he was big he was rather low in the gander's pecking order because he was gentle and shy and never wanted to pick a fight with another gander. 

Because of this he had won some of the white geese to his side and Green Ash. Rowan often chased Buckeye in order to defend his ladies but eventually this would turn out to be a bad decision.

One morning when the sun was high in the sky a set of goslings was put outside to enjoy the fresh green grass and cool air. They were put inside a fence so they were safe from all kinds of things. Several of the adult geese stood on the opposite side of the fence wishing that they could get to the goslings. 

One of these was the youngest of the flock named Gingko. She had an obsession with goslings and would not leave the fence. The other ladies of the flock also wanted to meet the goslings but were not so obsessed that they gave up their food and pond for them. Fortunately for Gingko her human decided to try out some of the female geese to see who would be best with the goslings - if any would. Tupelo was first put in the fenced area on trial. Tupelo seemed to be rather uninterested with the goslings and took advantage of the grass. If a gosling strayed too close she was then terrified and would peck it to keep it away from her. Seeing this the human decided to try Gingko. Gingko was thrilled to be with the goslings. She was immediately comfortable with them and was eating grass with them.

I, Weeping Willow, know many a story of my flock. My beloved acquired thirteen geese. Two of these were most unfortunately lost before names were given or pictures taken. 

Of the ganders and the geese who were named and well known there was Eastern Redbud, Baldcypress the Big and Cowardly, Poison Sumac the Small, Black Oak the Loud, Pecan of the Black Eyes, Mimosa who was a skilled fighter, White Ash the Sweetest of Them All, American Elm who was known for her beauty, Paper Mulberry the Wise and Brave, Sassafras of the Dark Head, and Mockernut Hickory of the White Band.