electromagnetism - Why do some of the iron fillings arrange in a particular pattern when sprinkled around a magnet, instead of getting attached to the magnet?

My sir started a new chapter "magnetism and matter". Sir said that iron fillings form a particular arrangement when sprinkled around a magnet. I saw the figure in my book where it was shown the arrangement of some iron fillings at a distance from the magnet. I didn't get much convinced. If a magnet, which can pull iron fillings lies in front of them, why do they remain at a distance from the it? Why can't they directly attach to the magnet instead of forming those arrangements?