A long journey teaches Bear that there are more important things than goals. After his long hibernation, Bear wakes up and sets off on a journey with his friend Butterfly. "Where are we going?" asks Bear. "All journeys have secret destinations," says Butterfly. On their journey together through the forest, over the mountains and across a large river, Butterfly talks about her insights into life's hardships, how fears can be overcome and how precious a moment can be. Bear's natural impatience gradually gives way to an acceptance of the world around him. As the seasons pass, the friends meet again in front of the bear's cave. Landscapes look different through different eyes, and the end of one journey is the beginning of another. This is a heart-warming book about the cycle and cycles of life and existence. A gentle and inspiring way to introduce young readers to Buddhist philosophy and its values.

Sven Völker works as a picture book author and graphic designer in Berlin. He is a professor of graphic design at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. His first book, Eine Million Punkte, was named "Best Illustrated Children's Book" by the New York Times in 2019.