Nela really enjoyed looking at the sky through her large window. Every evening she counted the shining stars together with her dog, Fikster. One day, as the sun was slowly hiding behind the horizon, Nela discovered something strange behind the cottage. There was a large, colourful balloon with a huge basket. The balloon had silver stars painted on it and a moon horn shimmered on top. Fikster barked merrily and jumped into the basket. Nela looked around. There were no adults anywhere, so she decided that she and Fikster would see where this balloon would take her. As soon as she sat down next to her friend, the balloon rose slowly into the air. First they flew above the houses, then above the forest, and finally they started flying higher and higher - all the way above the clouds! An endless dark blue sky stretched around them. Stars began to surround them - some looked like candy, others like glowing buttons. Fikster waved his tail and Nela couldn't believe they were flying so high. After a while, the balloon flew right past a spinning planet with rings. From its surface, three green creatures with feelers waved at them, and one of them held a banner with the words: "Hello, newcomers!" The balloon flew on and suddenly stopped in front of a huge silver gate hanging among the stars. The gate was huge, and on either side of it stood smiling, purple cats wearing cosmonaut helmets. Nela looked at Fikster, squeezed his paw and felt her heart beating faster herself. Should they open the gate? What is on the other side? Nela took a breath and was already about to reach for the handle when suddenly from inside the gate they heard....