Behind the castle they had just left lay a toy-forest. After their experiences with Hannibal and Wallenstein, this was a welcome change. A herd of rocking-horses grazed on a sun-lit clearing. Cute little sail-boats swam on a blue stream. The trees were full of balloons. The shrubbery on the banks of the stream consisted of candy canes. Two parrots sat on a branch, leafing through a picture-book. Suddenly they burst out laughing so hard they dropped the book.
Konrad wanted to leap off the horse to pick up the book, but uncle Ringelhuth stopped him, gave him a little slap and said: „Stop it! We have to reach the south sea!“ And so they galloped on. The horse claimed his ball-bearings had run hot, but this was an exaggeration.
On the side of the road, toy-trains rattled along on their tracks. Occasionally a switch changed with a snap. The engines whistled and the train drove into the forest over which the balloons waved. In front of a house made of tin foil sat five scottish terriers in silence and smoke thick chocolate cigars.
„Let me get of!“ Konrad cried. „I have to pet the dogs!“
But Ringelhuth said: „Why don't you take my cane for a minute?“ When the boy did this, the uncle clasped his hands over Konrad's eyes, so he could no longer see the toy forest and shouted: „Run, Caballo!“
They rode on like the Wild Hunt and over the toy-heath.
„OK“, said the uncle, when he finally took his hands off Konrad's eyes. The horse rolled in a steady trot. Konrad looked around. The toy-heath had come to an end. The balloon-treetops gleamed from far behind. Big paper kites flew over them.
„Pity“, murmured Konrad.
Suddenly the horse braked, stood still and said: „Everyone get off, please!“
Ringelhuth and Konrad climbed off and looked around. They stood in front of a big building painted with fairy-tale-motivs. Countless children looked out of the windows and waved.
„Looks like a summer camp“, said the uncle.
„That'S what YOU think“, answered Konrad. „The sign says something completely different.“ And then he read out, what was written over the portal:
The world turned upside down
Admittance only
in the company of children
„Ha!“ shouted Konrad. „Once again you see how lucky you are to have me with you!“ He threw himself into posture and paraded proudly into the house ahead of the other two. They found themselves in an office. A boy sat behind the counter. He shook Konrad's hand and asked him whom he had in tow.
„A horse, who is a superb roller skater“, Konrad explained, „and my uncle. He is an apothecary and called Ringelhuth.“
„Is he very terrible?“ asked the other boy. „No thanks“, asnwered Konrad, „he's OK.“
„Well, we will get him sorted out“, said the boy. „We have dealt with worse people before...“ And then he pressed a button.
„What?“ asked Konrad. He was puzzled. But in that instant, a horde of children came piling in and pushed the uncle through a door marked „only for grown-ups“.
„What is this supposed to be?“ asked Konrad. „We wanted to go to the south sea!“
„Later, later“, said the boy. He asked them for their personal data. Then he send them through another door. „ask for the school!“ he shouted after them. „You'll find your uncle there. He just has to change first.“
„Does this make any sense at all to you?“ Konrad asked the horse. „Why should the uncle have to change clothes?“
„Wait and see“, the horse answered.
The street was packed. Boys in top hats with files under their arms hurried past them. Girls in fashionable suits walked by. As a matter of fact, you could only see children around!
„Excuse me“, Konrad asked a boy who was about to get into a car. „Aren't there any grown-ups here?“
„Of course there are, but they are all at school at the moment“, the boy replied. Then he got into his car, nodded to Konrad and said: „You have to excuse me, I have to get to the stock exchange!“ And he was gone.
„This blows my mind.“ Konrad commented. „You'll do without“, the horse replied. „What are grown-ups doing at school and children at the stock-exchange?“ asked Konrad.
The horse shrugged and rolled on. The boy could hardly follow. Luckily the school was not that far away. „Dedicated to the difficult parents“ said the plaque over the door.
„Well, lets get inside“, said the horse.
They entered. A small girl sat behind a counter and asked whom they were looking for.
„A certain Mr. Ringelhuth“, answered the horse. The girl browsed through her notes. „Ringelhuth? He is in the beginners' course.“ „What on earth is he doing there?“ asked Konrad.
„There he will be educated“, the girl at the counter replied.
„I'll go mad“, shouted Konrad, „I want my uncle back asap!“
„Room 28“, said the girl in a strict voice and closed the counter.
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