There are rhythms in nature that we can hardly explain. Nobody knows why, for example, different kinds of birds always build their own kinds of nests, each with its own rhythmic shape. These rhythms seem to be part of their nature, and no bird needs to be taught how to build its nest.
A South American oven-bird’s nest is always shaped like an oven. It has a rounded top and a small entrance, which protects the eggs and young birds from rain and predators. An oriole’s nest, on the other hand, hangs down like a hammock from a branch, swinging gently in the wind. Even the cells of a beehive comb are built with a regular rhythm. They are always of the same shape and the same size, making the whole comb strong and efficient for storing honey and raising young bees.
How each new bird or bee knows how to create the same rhythmic shapes is a mystery, but we call it instinct. Instinct allows animals to perform important tasks correctly without learning from others. For example, a young bird that has never seen a nest can still build one that looks exactly like the nests of older birds of its species.
Old swallows and young swallows all fly through the sky in the same patterns. They follow each other in lines and circles, keeping the same distance from each other. Wild geese always fly in V-formations during migration. This rhythm makes flying easier because each bird uses less energy by taking advantage of the air currents created by the bird in front of it. Without this pattern, the geese would have to work much harder to fly long distances.
Humans also create rhythms to make tasks easier. In fact, some things could not be done at all without rhythm. If you live in the country, watch a man or a woman churning butter. If he or she does not churn with an even rhythm, the cream will not turn into butter. The same is true in cooking. Watch your mother beating cake batter. If she beats it irregularly—this way, then that way, slow then fast—the cake will not come out well. But if she beats her batter with a steady rhythm, all the ingredients mix evenly, and the cake turns out perfect. Rhythm helps us work efficiently and gives a sense of order to our actions.
Even in everyday life, people often rely on rhythm. Farmers walk in rhythm when planting seeds in the field. Workers sing songs with a steady beat while rowing boats or working in factories. Soldiers march in time to keep together as a unit. Rhythm helps the body and mind work together smoothly, making hard tasks easier and faster to perform.
We can see rhythm not only in nature and work but also in games, dances, and music. Music often copies the rhythms found in nature: the drumming of rain, the waves of the sea, or the songs of birds. Long ago, people learned from these natural rhythms to make dances and songs. Rhythm makes life more organized and enjoyable, whether in nature, work, or art.
