Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(13,749 posts)
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:15 PM Dec 2019

Klepetan and Malena - Croatia's most Unusual Love Story

From https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/3050-klepetan-and-malena-croatia-s-most-unusual-love-story

Klepetan and Malena – Croatia’s most Unusual Love Story



Proof that true love does return in spring.



By TCN 24 March 2016

No, this is not another version of Romeo and Juliet, though Croatia’s had a share of its own tragic couples, this is a beautiful story about Croatia’s most famous animal couple, storks Malena and Klepetan. It is a story of longing, waiting and overcoming one of the hardest obstacles in any relationship – distance.

The tale of Klepetan and Malena started 15 years ago on a red rooftop in Brodski Varoš, a small village in Croatia and they have been together ever since. Even though Klepetan migrates to the warm south at the end of August and Malena cannot join him because an Italian hunter broke her wing 22 years ago and she hasn’t flown since, each spring around March 24, they are reunited despite the 13 000 km journey Klepetan has to make to get home to his loved one.

One man, a former school janitor Stjepan Vokić has been taking care of Malena ever since she was injured and, of course, her beloved Klepetan. Each year he prepares a bucket of fish to greet Klepetan upon his return so he can recover from the long journey and take his place in the nest next to Malena. This year, however, Stjepan got a surprise of a lifetime; Klepetan came home a week early. Neighbours asked Stjepan if he was sure this was indeed Klepetan and he quickly reassured them “He went straight to the bucket of fish, which was empty because I was not expecting him yet, and only he knows where to find it. Then, of course, we went to the nest just like every other year. That’s Klepetan alright”. It seems he couldn’t wait to get back home to his Malena.

[...]



More at link.
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
1. How does Melana get up there if she can't fly? I feel like this is a dumb question but I'm
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:19 PM
Dec 2019

compelled to ask. The article did not say.

sl8

(13,749 posts)
2. That's a good question.
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 06:26 AM
Dec 2019

It looks like Mr. Vokić helped her a lot:



I hadn't realized it when I posted the OP, but it looks like Klepetan has died:

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/news/38122-klepetan

 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
6. What a nice kindhearted man. How wonderful that Klepetan made it back to say goodbye. And now
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 09:00 PM
Dec 2019

they will be as they were before...together just the two of them.

sl8

(13,749 posts)
4. LOL. I think you changed a word, though.
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 09:24 AM
Dec 2019

I believe it's absinthe that affects the heart. Absinthe.

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
5. It didn't occur to me that Kleptan or Malena would know about absinthe. Absence is another
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 10:15 AM
Dec 2019

matter... besides, a single-word pun brings a groan while a double-word pun is an abomination to
many people. Or so I'm told...

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Klepetan and Malena - Cro...