The Works of J. W. von Goethe/Volume 9/The Stork's Vocation

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

THE STORK'S VOCATION.

The stork who worms and frogs devours
That in our ponds reside,
Why should he dwell on high church towers,
With which he's not allied?

Incessantly he chatters there,
And gives our ears no rest;
But neither old nor young can dare
To drive him from his nest.

I humbly ask it,—how can he
Give of his title proof,
Save by his happy tendency
To sell the church's roof?