Just then the older Stork, which seemed to be the chief of the nurses, came toward the fountain and said to another of the birds, "It is time to take one of the babies into the world. They are coming quite fast to-day, and we must make room for the new ones."
"Very well," answered the other. They walked among the babies until they came to one quite big and strong, who was lying fast asleep. This baby the Stork picked up very tenderly and placed upon the other bird's back, twining its little arms around the long, soft neck, to which it clung tightly.
Then, spreading its great wings, the Stork flew into the air, bearing the baby gently, and sailed over the edge of the Valley into the world beyond, where it disappeared from view.
"That is the way we keep our Valley from getting crowded," said the old Stork.
"Do you suppose," asked Dot, "that I lived here once, when I was a baby?"
"Probably," answered the bird. "But, of course, I cannot remember all the babies, especially after they grow big."
"Oh, of course not," exclaimed the girl.
"Course not," said Tot; "too many of 'em."
"Now, if you will excuse me, I'll feed the two babies who have just arrived," said the motherly old Stork; and so the children watched it and the other Storks for some time, and admired the gentle way in which they tended the babies, and heard again and again the crooning song:
Hushaby, lullaby,
Sweet flower from the sky,