|
| Mysteries of the (Swan's) Heart |
 In 2006, Petra, a wild black swan, became romantically entangled. This would normally be a beautiful story to tell, but, sadly, her companion wasn't a swan at all. It wasn't even a living thing. Petra's newly found love was merely a paddle boat on a German lake resembling a swan.
Just like every relationship, however, this couple had many obstacles to overcome. Despite their differences of size, color, and general disposition, the dynamic duo prevailed, but not without several attempts to separate the happy lovebirds.
With the onset of winter in the town of Munster, Germany, the paddle boat had to be removed from the water. The owner of the boat didn't have the heart to break Petra's union and moved the boat to a pond at the local zoo to pass the winter. "What the swan wants, she gets," boat owner Peter Overschmidt told Der Spiegel.
Petra was offered her pick of single male swans to choose from several times, but she loyally stuck by her sweetheart's side. Many admirers believed Petra had found her soul mate in the paddle boat, yet a good few questioned how long it would last.
Two years later, their question has finally been answered. During this past winter, Petra found another mate, one who could finally return her affections - a real swan. According to The Associated Press, "Petra and her new mate - a white swan - are building a nest together."
--By Natasha Bullock and Tyler Rabel from Leland High School in Leland, Illinois.
To see previous Spotlights in our new, easier to read Spotlight archive, click here, or discuss this story on our new message boards.
|
|
|
|
 "Click for larger image")