Page 95 - The World of Animals

water and can swim very fast, thanks
to their webbed feet.

Swans start to migrate when the weather
becomes cold, and they fly at high altitudes,

lining up in a row. On their route, to puncture the strong wind currents
they encounter, they fly in a "V" formation. By means of this wise

formula, they fly much faster and move along without becoming so
tired. Of course, it is impossible for swans to discover such a method,

which would require an advanced knowledge of aerodynamics
(aerodynamics is the study of forces and resulting motion of objects

through the air) and physics. They fly so because Allah, Who possesses
the knowledge of everything, has inspired them so.

Have they not looked at the birds above them, with wings
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outspread and folded back? Nothing holds them up but
the All-Merciful. He sees all things. (Surat al-Mulk: 19)

Swans feed on the plants they find at the bottoms of swamps,
creeks and ponds. Their long necks help them to reach food. Like

ducks, they can plunge into the water and encounter no difficulty in
short dives. There is a useful side to swans' plucking plants: Some

plants grow and mature as soil is puffed up. As swans scrap at the
bottom of the water to find food, they make

plants grow abundantly. Thus, by the
Will of Our Lord, they cause the growth

of ample amounts of plants. This way, by
making use of swans, our Lord

ensures the growth of plants.