Stork's message

The shepherd's house stands on two wheels -

stands high on the heath, from morning to night;

if only more people had such night lodgings!

Then a shepherd would not exchange his bed with a king.

And if something strange came about by night,

he would make a little prayer and lay down on his ear;

a spirit, a witch, and other such airy creatures

may knock on his door, but he will not answer.

But once it became just too much:

the banging on the shutter, the whining of the dog;

so my shepherd draws back the bolts - and behold!

there stand two storks, a male and a female.

The couple makes a nice bow

and wish to speak, alas, if only they could!

What do poultry want of me? Has anyone heard of such a thing?

Yet they bear me a joyful message.

You live in that house back there by the Rhine?

You have bitten my maiden in the leg?

now the child is weeping and the mother as well:

she wishes for her beloved to come home.

And she wishes also to arrange a baptism:

a lamb, a sausage and a purse of money?

well, tell her I'll come in two or three days,

and greet my boy and stir his porridge for me!

But wait! why have you both come?

but it won't, I hope, mean twins?

The storks give a great rattle with a merry sound;

they nod and bow, and fly away.