The romantic fairytale of Malena and Klepetan, the two storks that delight the people of Croatia every spring, has now crossed borders into the United States, reports Dalmacija Danas on January 13, 2019.
Thanks to a video by The Dodo, whose Facebook profile is followed by over 22 million people, the entire world now has the chance to delight in the love story of these two famous storks, which has come to life in the Slavonian suburb of Brodski Varoš for the last 16 years.
The Dodo released a video about the lovebirds on Friday – and by midnight, it had already collected about 9 million views, 2,000 comments, and over 20,000 shares!
“24 years ago in my little village, I found a small stork with a wounded wing. She had been shot by a hunter. I named her Malena (The Little One),” says Stjepan Vokić to begin the story.
The video then continues with how Vokić cares for Malena’s safety.
“I built a nest on the roof, and one in the garage so she could survive the cold winters.”
Malena, however, is unable to return to the wild, though Stjepan is by her side for everything she needs.
“This stork is my whole life. I catch fish for her, and I collect branches for her nest.”
And then the unexpected happened.
“Fifteen years ago, a male stork landed in her nest. He was returning from Africa for the spring. I named him Klepetan.”
Vokić explains how they quickly became a family.
“I have three sons, and ever since Klepetan landed in Malena’s nest, I accepted him as my fourth son.”
Though the lovebirds started their own family too, and 59 storks have left their nest.
Every year, Klepetan travels to South Africa for the winter, and Malena and Stjepan, as well as all of Croatia, eagerly await his return in the spring. In fact, so many people look forward to Klepetan’s return in Croatia, over a million people watch the live stream!
It is the love story of love stories, which has now spread to other parts of the world.
You can read more about Malena and Klepetan on TCN’s dedicated page.
