A Ukrainian tale about a wheat farmer and her children who encounter the mysterious Stork King. The farmer's oxen are taken by the Stork King, leading the children on separate journeys to find his palace. Through kindness and perseverance, one of the children succeeds. Includes production credits, artist features, and listener testimonials.
A wheat farmer living in the countryside encounters the Stork King, a giant talking stork. The Stork King offers to take either the farmer's oxen or one of her children as payment. The farmer chooses to give up her oxen, but the Stork King, impressed by her good heart, offers a reward. One of the farmer's children must visit his palace to receive the reward.
Maxim embarks on a journey
Maxim, one of the farmer's children, volunteers to visit the Stork King's palace. He sets off but gets lost in a dense forest. He encounters a stork who offers to show him the way, but Maxim refuses. Fatigued and hungry, Maxim eventually falls asleep under a tree.
Yuri's successful journey and magical reward
When Maxim doesn't return, Sasha, another sibling, tries to find him. Like Maxim, she encounters the stork but declines her offer for help. Similarly, Sasha gets lost and falls asleep in the same forest. Finally, Yuri, the last remaining sibling, offers to find his brother and sister. He accepts the stork's assistance, and she guides him to the Stork King's palace. Yuri is offered a reward and chooses what the Stork King hides under his pillow each night. Back at the farm, Yuri mysteriously returns with new oxen and his siblings, and the family enjoys a bountiful feast.