If you ever take the Zagre- Slavonski Brod highway in Croatia, do not miss the trip to Brodski Varos. How I found myself there I will tell you now. A friend Jasna ask me to take her to her hometown Slavonski Brod one weekend.Of course I agreed and we soon left.
We’ve been in the car all day touring places she loves. At one point she said “Here lives Malena.”
At first I didn’t not who she was talking about and then I remembered - “Malena, a broken -wing stork?” Jasna confirmed and my heart started beating 100 at hour. It is a bird that has gained world wide popularity through its life story.
Once upon a time wounded her and she survived with a broken wing. Mr. Vokic took care of her. Supplies her with food and he made her way to the roof with the nest. In the winter he kept her safe from snow and wind in the special space.
When we knocked on the door of Mr. Vokic my heart was beating madly. We were not sure if he would let us to see Malena. But he is a wonderful man. Shortly after introducing us he showed us where Malena is every day. She was in her nest at the moment. I saw her and her broken wing and my tears started to flow.
My heart was full of sadness for her. She is a bird that will newer fly again. She has a love called Klepetan. It’s a realy big love. He has been returning to her for 16 years every spring from the south. They spend spring and summer together but when autumn comes he must leave with her young. It’s a sad moment. Malena is left alone without her love and their children. She may never see her young again. She just can wait for months for Klepetan to return.
Many journalists from the world have visited her so far. Love storage between Malena and Klepetan is special.
That day I was standing in the front of her and she looked at me with her beautifull eyes. There was a special moment when I touched her and caress her wing. I told her “How beautiful you are…how sweet you are…where are your babies now?”
When I wiped a tears I talked to Mr. Vokic. Once again I make sure how much he cares about Malena. I asked him “My I visit you again someday?” I was afraid he would think I was weird and too emotional, but he took off his glasses and said " You made me cry too, of course you can come again.".
