Maja and Philip never imagined that they would spend the last week of their holiday in a place you won't find on any map. It all started one afternoon when they were playing in their grandfather's garden. It was then that Maja, tripping over a protruding root, spotted something silver in the dense bushes, glinting in the afternoon sun. Philip curiously walked closer. It turned out to be a small key with an unusual shape - there was a tiny clock engraved on its head. - Maybe it's the key to his grandfather's chest? - Philip suggested. But Grandpa shook his head and smiled mysteriously. - 'There are some locks you won't find at home,' he said and went back to making lemonade. Maja and Filip didn't last long. They wanted to find out what could be opened with this strange key. The next morning, following a trail of white stones that sometimes disappeared under the mosses, they ventured deeper into the garden. The bushes grew thicker and thicker, and the sun barely skimmed through the leaves. Suddenly, behind the last spreading bush, they saw an arch made of intertwining branches, entwined with green ivy. Above it hung a sign: "Emerald Forest - for the brave only". They walked through the arch and felt a cool breeze. The forest was completely different from Grandpa's garden. Here, the leaves shone with a soft, greenish glow and the path underfoot shimmered with shades of emeralds. From afar came the beating of .... as if of a huge clock. Maja clutched the key in her hand, and Philip looked at her with slight concern. After a few minutes of walking, a tower emerged from behind the old trees, so thin and tall that it looked as if it was about to topple over. Within its walls were a multitude of clock faces, and at the very top a golden rooster was circling. - Do you think anyone lives there? - Philip whispered. Before Maja could answer, an unusual old man appeared in the doorway. His beard was so white it almost shone, and he had a tiny watch attached to his hat. - 'Welcome, little travellers,' he said in a mysterious voice. - The Emerald Forest does not welcome everyone. But since you have the key, perhaps you already know why you came here? The siblings looked at each other, uncertain whether they should reveal the truth. But before they had time to ask about the clocks, the old man raised his hand and the tower door opened wide. From inside came the sound of gears, the clatter of pendulums and the murmur of many voices. - 'Every clock in this tower has a story,' the old man said quietly. - But only a few can hear what they have to say. If you are ready, come in. But remember: time does not flow in the Emerald Forest as it does outside.... Maja and Philip took one last look at each other, and then, with beating hearts, crossed the threshold of the tower, not knowing what awaited them inside.