Soaring majestically over the rooftops of Poland, the stork has a special place in the hearts of every householder in this country. Through the richness of Polish legend we discover why this beloved creature has such a melancholy demeanor.
In ancient times, the carefree stork lived only in Egypt and was blessed by God with magnificent plumage of the most eye-dazzling hues. However, the magnificence of her plumage was matched only by her great arrogance and conceit, for she was compelled by her own beauty to feel superior to all the other birds.
When time came for the animals to board the Ark, all were saddened to leave their homes but accepted their fate with humility and gratitude to Noah; all, of course, except the stork who showed no gratitude, shed no tears, felt no humility. For her pride, God cursed the stork forever, taking away her colorful feathers and painting her wings a mournful black.
After the Flood, the other creatures were happy to be alive and have new homes, but the stork could only think of her glorious past, longing to go back. And so, the melancholy stork now has two homes-Poland & Egypt. Yet in each, she is filled with longing for the other, eternally wandering back & forth, singing a note of sadness in her travels.