While Dot and Tot were looking at the strange sights of this Valley, which was so different from the others they had seen, their boat drifted close to the shore, and one or two of the Storks came down to the river bank and looked at them curiously with their bright eyes.
Then one of the big, long-legged birds spoke to them in a voice that was soft and pleasing. "Why did you come to our Valley?" it asked. "You are too old to become babies again."
"Oh, we're not babies," said Dot, earnestly. "We're quite grown up. And we came here because we could not help it. In a few minutes we will go away again into the next Valley."
"Oh," said the Stork, "very well."
"Isn't that milk I see in the fountain?" asked the child, after a little pause.
"Certainly it is," answered the Stork; "we feed the babies with it."
"Could—could I have a drink of it?" asked Dot, who was thirsty from eating so much candy.
"Why, bless the child! Of course you can. We have plenty and to spare. Come on shore at once, but be careful not to step on the babies."
"I want a drink, too!" cried Tot, who had been so much astonished to hear a bird speak that he had remained silent until now.
"You may both drink as much as you wish," replied the Stork, in a kindly voice.