The Prehistoric Valley
Firlefanz has heard that there is a mysterious green valley somewhere — the Prehistoric Valley — where real dinosaurs still live. He and Papalapapp set off on the long journey there.
Firlefanz woke up and rubbed his eyes. He had dreamed something wonderful — a huge green valley, and in it lived dinosaurs who waved at him kindly. He jumped out of bed. Somewhere in the world, he had heard, there was a secret valley — the Prehistoric Valley — where real dinosaurs still lived. Today he wanted to find it!
At breakfast, Firlefanz ate warm oatmeal with honey and thought. How big would the dinosaurs be? As big as a house? Or even bigger? And would they be friendly? He could hardly wait to find out for himself.
Firlefanz ran to Papalapapp. He was sitting on his favorite stool, enjoying his morning coffee. "Papalapapp, do you know the Prehistoric Valley where real dinosaurs live?" Papalapapp stopped drinking and nodded slowly. "The Prehistoric Valley... far behind the seven mountains." He set down his cup. "Come, let's go together!" Firlefanz was so happy that he jumped up and down three times.
Firlefanz put on his sturdy brown hiking boots, grabbed the old walking stick, and threw on the green jacket. He placed the wide hat on his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and nodded with satisfaction. "Now I'm ready for the biggest adventure!" Papalapapp was already standing by the door with his backpack and smiling.
And then they set off — Firlefanz and Papalapapp, side by side. They crossed seven roaring seas and traversed seven golden deserts. They climbed seven snow-covered mountains and waded through seven rushing rivers. They wandered through seven ancient forests and over seven tall hills. With each step, the air grew warmer and greener and smelled of fresh moss.
Then Firlefanz stopped. Behind a massive stone arch, a huge green valley opened up. Giant trees reached for the sky, waterfalls roared, and colorful flowers grew as tall as houses. "The Prehistoric Valley," whispered Papalapapp. Then they heard a deep rumbling — like thunder coming from deep within the earth.
Firlefanz held Papalapapp's hand tightly. From the thicket, a giant head appeared — as big as a house roof, with a long, long neck and big, gentle brown eyes. Firlefanz held his breath. Then the dinosaur winked at him kindly with one eye. "Oh! Visitors!" he rumbled happily. "It's been so long since I've had visitors!"
The friendly dinosaur was named Trommo. He was huge and had soft, green skin — but his heart was the gentlest in the whole valley. Trommo led them deeper into the valley. There, Zipsi was already waiting — a small, quick dinosaur with colorful scales and a long, wagging tail. Zipsi bounced excitedly back and forth. "New friends! New friends!" he cheered.
Zipsi showed Firlefanz how to jump over prehistoric tree roots that were as thick as houses. Trommo let Firlefanz and Papalapapp sit on his broad back — so high that they could see up to the clouds. In the evening, they all sat together by the shore of a warm, quiet lake. Trommo hummed softly, and the stars reflected in the dark water. It was the coziest evening in the world.
As the stars twinkled, it was time to go. Trommo bent his long neck down, and Firlefanz briefly rested his head against his gentle cheek. "Come back," rumbled Trommo softly. Zipsi pressed a small, shiny stone into Firlefanz's hand. "As a keepsake!" Firlefanz promised to come back, and both waved for a long time until Firlefanz and Papalapapp disappeared into the forest.
The way home was long, but Firlefanz held Zipsi's stone tightly in his hand and hardly felt his tired legs. At home, Firlefanz snuggled into his warm blanket, and Papalapapp sat down next to him. "You know, Firlefanz," he said softly, "the very biggest friends sometimes have the very biggest hearts." Firlefanz smiled and closed his eyes. In his dream, he rode on Trommo's back through the green valley while Zipsi danced beside him. He slept deeply and soundly.