Janek did not like sitting at home. When it rained, he would watch from the window the drops racing down the glass and dream that he was somewhere far away. But today the sun was shining and he could finally go to the forest. Maya, his younger cousin, had already been ready since morning. - Do you have a map? - She asked, standing in the doorway with a wide smile. - Sure! - Janek waved a folded piece of paper. - Are we going on an expedition? The forest behind their house was thick, green and full of strange noises: the hooting of jays, the creaking of branches and the rustling of leaves underfoot. None of the adults allowed them to go too deep, but today Janek had a plan. He wanted to find the Old Oak - a tree so huge that it was said to hide the entire history of the area. They hiked through a quiet path, jumped over a stream and climbed a small hill. Janek checked the map every now and then - he was sure he had drawn everything according to his grandfather's stories. - This is it! - Maja pointed to a spreading bough. The tree was even bigger than they had imagined. The bark was cracked, the trunk was wide, and something sparkled in the sunlight among the roots. Janek came closer. Between the roots he found a small recess, and in it - something like a strange, shining passage. It looked like water, but when he reached out his hand, he felt a slight tingling sensation. Maja crouched down beside him, peering in curiously. - 'It looks like a... a portal - she whispered, her eyes shining. Janek hesitated for a moment, but curiosity won out. Together they took a deep breath and.... slipped through the passage. The world around them changed immediately. It was brighter, as if several suns were shining at once. Above their heads, luminous birds flew, the grass was purple and the laughter of unseen beings came from the distance. Maja grabbed Janek's hand. - What now? - she whispered, pointing to a path leading deep into this amazing land. Suddenly, a shadow appeared in their path. A figure emerged from the glow - tall, clad in an outfit woven of leaves and feathers. The being reached out to them and said quietly: - We have just been waiting for you. Do you dare to pass on?