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  What it means

  “Saint Agnes let the skylark out of her purse.” Around 21 January, the first skylarks may be heard. Their song is a sign that spring is beginning to stir despite the cold.

  Vocabulary

  • święta — saint (feminine)
  • Agnieszka — Agnes
  • wypuścić — to release, to let out
  • skowronek — skylark
  • mieszk — purse, pouch (archaic)

  Grammar note

  'Wypuściła' is the feminine past tense of 'wypuścić'. 'Z mieszka' uses the genitive after 'z' (from).

  Cultural context

  Saint Agnes's Day (21 January) was seen as the first hint of approaching spring in the Polish folk calendar. The skylark was a symbol of spring's return.

  Intermediate

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