In an earlier issue, we talked about the four-foot Emperor Penguin. The Adelie, less than half that tall, is much like it, but has several differences. For instance, the Emperors go to the cold Antarctic in April, lay only one egg and hatch it on an adult’s foot covered with a flap of warm skin. The Adelie goes to the Antarctic in September or October, lays two eggs and hatches them in a rocky nest. A patch of bare skin, exposed only at that time, gives body warmth to the eggs. But after they hatch, feathers cover over the patch of bare skin once again! How wonderfully the Creator takes care of every detail.
Like the Emperor, the Adelie looks very dignified in its black and white tuxedo suit. When they arrive at the icy Antarctic, they march to the exact spot in the rocks where they each laid their eggs the year before. Although seven months have passed since they last saw each other, the male and female recognize each other and return to their nest. As all Adelies look alike to us and the nests all seem identical, isn’t it amazing that they know one from another? God has given them this ability.
After the eggs are laid, the female returns to the ocean. Her mate sits on them for two weeks while she stuffs herself on seafood. Then she returns, and he feeds in the ocean for two weeks while she tends the eggs. When he comes back, he takes on the egg-sitting for one final week. We marvel at the way God has enabled them to know just when each two-week period has passed.
The parents, at first, alternate taking care of feeding the twins. Later, both parents hunt together, and in their absence the babies join other little ones. When the adults return, they call out, and even though hundreds of other parents are doing the same, each chick knows the call of its own parents.
Soon “papa penguin” begins to provide necessary exercise for his young. With a little food as a reward, he runs off and they run after him. Then “papa” gives them their reward. This is repeated several times until they are filled and have had their exercise as well. Finally, the day comes when he leads them to the sea and leaves them. They must jump in the water and find their own food, or starve. The young penguins are reluctant to do this at first, but they seem to be right at home once they have jumped in.
The interesting ways of the penguins show one more instance of God’s care over all His creation, for He is the One who directs them in ways we cannot understand. Is there guidance from Him for you, too? Yes, there surely is. His Word, the Bible, says, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:66In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6). Those who do find His promise is true: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:44Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:4).
ML-08/23/1981