WHEN THE STORK CALLED
by James Hume-Cook
The Stork's Surprise
Leo and Mia sleep in their warm beds. It is night. All is quiet. The house is dark. They sleep very soundly. Their little heads rest on soft pillows. They dream sweet dreams. They do not hear a sound.
*Knock, knock!* A loud sound comes. It is at the door. Mia jumps in her bed. Leo opens his eyes. Mia opens his eyes too. They sit up very fast. Their hearts beat fast. *Thump, thump, thump!* What is that big noise?
Their eyes are big. They feel a little scared. They listen very hard. They hear nothing now. The house is quiet again. But they think about the Stork. It brings new babies. Does the Stork come at night? They wonder who it is. They look at each other.
Then they hear a new sound. *Tap, tap, tap!* It is not a cry. It is not a yell. They know this sound. It is a long, hard bill. Yes, it is the Stork's bill! They are sure now. They feel excited. Their hearts feel happy.
They wait and wait. Time goes very slow. They stay very still. They hold their breath. The clock makes a sound. *Ding, dong!* It is a quiet sound. They wait more. They want to know. They wait a long, long time. The night feels long.
Grandma comes to their room. She walks in softly. She smiles a warm smile. She sits on Mia's bed. "The Stork came," she says. "It was a cold night. The Stork flew here. It flew a long way. It flew through the dark sky."
Grandma tells them good news. "The Stork brought a baby," she says. "It is a baby brother. He is for you. Your mother has him now. You prayed for him. He is very small. He is a new baby."
The Stork flies high. It flies fast in the night. It goes to a special place. All new babies wait there. It is a magical place. The Stork flies far away. It flies up, up, up. It flies into the stars.
Leo and Mia smile. They have a new baby brother. Everyone is happy. A new baby is here! They are so happy. They love their new brother.
Original Story
WHEN THE STORK CALLED
“Once upon a time, a long while ago, I went with a Stork to deliver a new baby. Next morning, the Nurse told the baby’s father and some friends who had called, all about it. And this is what she said:—
‘The Boy’ and ‘The Girl’ were both abed,
Their prayers were said;
And each little curly silken head
Was laid on its own downy pillow!
When, sakes alive!
Like bees from a hive,
With a buzz and a boom that seemed to run
From the earth to the sea, and from there to the sun,
There came such a knock!
Such a sharp rat-tat!
That the boy woke up and said, ‘What’s that?’
And the girl from her bed jumped out on her hat!
(A ridiculous place, you must all agree,
On the bedroom floor for a hat to be!)
And all the while, that rapid rat-tat,
Made their little hearts beat ‘a-pity-poor-pat!’
Then the queerest of sounds
On their quick ears fell!
It was not a cry;
And ’twas hardly a yell!
But they both felt sure, as they sat so still,
’Twas the Stork had knocked with his hard long bill!
But oh, it was an aching time!
The Hall clock *twice* rang out its chime
Ere Grandma came, and to them told,
How the Stork had come through the night so cold!
Had called and said,
As they lay abed—
As sound asleep as if they were dead;
‘Here’s the baby for which you prayed!
A Baby Brother!
I’ll leave him with mother!
Treat him kindly and be not afraid!’
Then, like a star
That shoots afar;
Away he flew on pinions light,
Oh, so swiftly through the night;
Right away on aery wing,
Through the pale moon’s Fairy Ring;
On to where the Babies wait,
Just beside God’s Golden Gate!”
Everybody seemed to be pleased with the effort of the “Storks’ Companion”; but not to have a break in the night’s proceedings, “Sight,” the third of “The Five Story Tellers,” was called upon to tell a tale.
And this is what he said:—
Characters
The Nurse ◆ supporting
Likely a woman of sturdy build, accustomed to long hours and physical tasks, with a practical demeanor. Her hands might show signs of work, but her overall appearance would be neat and professional.
Attire: A crisp, clean uniform typical of a nurse from a long while ago, likely a white or light-colored dress with a starched apron and a cap. The fabric would be durable cotton or linen.
Wants: To share the joyous news of the new baby and perhaps to entertain the guests.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a tendency to be verbose in her storytelling.
Remains consistent as the narrator of the central event.
Practical, observant, reassuring, and a good storyteller.
The Boy ◆ supporting
A young child, likely small in stature, with a typical child's build. His 'curly silken head' suggests fine, soft hair.
Attire: Simple, comfortable nightclothes, likely a white or light-colored cotton nightshirt, suitable for a child in bed.
Wants: To understand the strange sounds and events happening in the night.
Flaw: Easily frightened by the unknown.
Experiences a moment of fear and wonder, then joy at the news of a new sibling.
Curious, easily startled, observant.
The Girl ◆ supporting
A young child, likely small in stature, with a typical child's build. Her 'curly silken head' suggests fine, soft hair.
Attire: Simple, comfortable nightclothes, likely a white or light-colored cotton nightgown, suitable for a child in bed.
Wants: To understand the strange sounds and events happening in the night.
Flaw: Her impulsiveness and tendency to get flustered (jumping on her hat).
Experiences a moment of fear and wonder, then joy at the news of a new sibling.
Impulsive, easily startled, a bit clumsy (jumping onto her hat).
Grandma ◆ supporting
An elderly woman, likely with a gentle, comforting presence. Her movements might be a bit slower due to age, but her demeanor would be warm.
Attire: Comfortable, warm nightclothes, perhaps a flannel nightgown and a dressing gown, in soft, muted colors, suitable for an elderly woman in a comfortable home.
Wants: To reassure the children and share the joyous news of their new sibling.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but her age might imply slower movement.
Remains consistent as the comforting figure who delivers the news.
Calm, comforting, wise, and a bearer of good news.
The Stork ◆ supporting
A large, majestic bird with long legs and a long, hard bill. Its plumage is primarily white with black flight feathers.
Attire: Natural plumage of a stork: predominantly white feathers with striking black primary and secondary flight feathers.
Wants: To deliver the baby as requested by the family's prayers.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, as it is a mythical, symbolic creature.
Remains consistent as the magical delivery agent.
Purposeful, swift, and a bringer of new life.
The Baby Brother ○ minor
A newborn infant, small and delicate, swaddled in a bundle.
Attire: Swaddled in a soft, white or light-colored blanket, typical for a newborn.
Wants: To be loved and cared for by his new family.
Flaw: Completely dependent on others for care.
His arrival is the central event, changing the family dynamic.
Peaceful, innocent, a symbol of new beginnings.
Locations
Children's Bedroom
A cozy bedroom where 'The Boy' and 'The Girl' sleep, with their curly silken heads on downy pillows. A hat is inexplicably on the floor.
Mood: cozy, then startled and anxious, finally relieved
The children are awakened by a loud knock, hear strange sounds, and later learn from Grandma that the Stork delivered a baby brother.
The Hall
A hallway where a clock chimes, marking the passage of time as the children wait for news.
Mood: anticipatory, quiet, tense
The hall clock chimes twice, emphasizing the agonizing wait for Grandma to explain the Stork's visit.
The Sky/Night Journey
The cold night sky through which the Stork flies, passing through a 'pale moon's Fairy Ring'.
Mood: magical, swift, ethereal
The Stork departs swiftly after delivering the baby, flying through the magical night sky towards 'God's Golden Gate'.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A narrator introduces a story told by a Nurse about the arrival of a new baby. Two children, a boy and a girl, are awakened by a loud knock and strange sounds, leading them to believe the Stork has arrived. After an anxious wait, their Grandma confirms that the Stork has indeed brought them a baby brother. The story concludes with the Stork flying away to a magical place where babies await.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to joy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The stork myth is a common European folk tale, particularly prevalent in Northern Europe, often associated with fertility and childbirth.
Plot Beats (11)
- A narrator introduces a story about delivering a baby with a Stork.
- The narrator explains that the Nurse later retold the story to the baby's father and friends.
- The Nurse's story begins with 'The Boy' and 'The Girl' asleep in their beds.
- A loud, sudden knock and buzz-like sound startles the children awake.
- The children are frightened but also curious, suspecting it is the Stork.
- They hear a strange sound, not a cry or yell, confirming their suspicion about the Stork's bill.
- They endure a long, anxious wait, marked by the hall clock chiming twice.
- Grandma finally comes and tells them the Stork arrived in the cold night.
- Grandma explains the Stork left a baby brother, the one they prayed for, with their mother.
- The Stork then swiftly flies away on 'aery wing' towards 'God's Golden Gate' where babies wait.
- Everyone listening to the Nurse's story is pleased, and another storyteller is called upon.
