Zara was climbing the old oak tree when her fingers found something in the hollow.
A rolled-up piece of paper. Old and crinkled and smelling of rain.
She unrolled it carefully. It was a map — of the garden, the meadow, and the stream — with a big red X near the willow tree.
Zara jumped down and ran.
She crossed the garden. She waded through the long grass. She reached the old willow tree and dug with her hands where the X showed.
Her fingers hit something hard.
A small tin box. Inside: three smooth stones, a feather, a drawing of a cat, and a note that said: "Hello, whoever you are. I hope you like adventures. Leave something behind for the next explorer."
Zara smiled. She put her favourite button in the box, buried it, and ran home to make her own map.