Every year storks start their long journey from Africa and travel to Europe.

The storks arrive in Europe in the spring and stay until the end of summer. During this time, young storks hatch.

Storks often return to the same nest year after year.

In several cultures, storks are a symbol of childbirth. There are many images of storks carrying babies to their new homes.

The storks are also believed to bring good luck.

Words

journey: trip.
to hatch: to come out from an egg.
childbirth: giving birth to a child.

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The Monday after Easter is a special day in the countries of Central Europe.

In Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, it is traditional for a boy to go to a girl’s home and pour water on her.

The belief is that water will provide a woman with health and beauty.

The tradition is still practiced to this day. However, nowadays the water is often replaced by perfume.

Central Europe is going through one of its warmest periods ever.

Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have all experienced very high temperatures.

Up to five hundred people are said to have died in Hungary because of the heat.

The heat is also being blamed for several forest fires in Italy and Serbia.

Croatia, Austria, Macedonia, Albania and Turkey have also been affected by the extreme heat.