Nursery Rhyme & History
The old nursery rhyme 'Cackle, cackle, Mother Goose' clearly describes to a child the various usage that a goose has to offer - but why Mother Goose?

The Origins of Mother Goose and the Identity of Mother Goose gives some answers to this question!

The phrase 'Mother Goose' probably originates from the 1600's - which coincides with the era of the great witch hunts. Comparisons can be made between Mother Goose the popular conception of a witch during this period!

The old illustration below of Mother Goose depicts an old crone, or witch, flying on a goose (instead of a broomstick). The first line of the Nursery Rhyme is 'Cackle, cackle, Mother Goose' - descriptions of witches generally include reference to her 'cackle'. This word originally described the noise that a goose would make.

More interesting information regarding the connection between Mother Goose and the witch can be via the above links.