Max was a curious boy. He loved to read, to rhyme, to sing, oh joy! One sunny day, a rainy day inside his head, he found a book beneath his bed.

He opened it wide and what a surprise! A map that shimmered with golden eyes. Twinkling stars, a distant land, Max held adventure in his hand.

With a whispery woosh and a giggly gleam, the map began to puff out steam. 'Follow the path,' it said with cheer. 'To worlds unknown, your heart will steer.'

Through a swirly portal, twisty and blue, Max stepped right in, away he flew! Swoosh! He landed in a jungle vast, with speaking parrots flying past.

'Squawk! Squawk! Follow me, come play,' the parrot sang, 'It's a magical day!' Max grinned wide, he followed along, bouncing in rhythm to the parrot's song.

Through thick vines and by a river's edge, they tiptoed near a living hedge. Hedge sang tunes in bright green hue, 'To the castle of dreams, love and true!'

They reached a castle grand and tall, with walls that sparkled and did enthrall. Knights of leaves, with armor bright, greeted Max with glowing light.

Inside the halls, with every stride, pictures and shadows came alive. 'Boom! Boom!' drums did sound, as stories danced and leaped around.

Stories told of courage, dreams, kindness in streams, friendship beams. Max listened wide-eyed, heart a-flutter, feeling magic in every utter.

With a final cheer and a loving goodbye, Max’s world began to fly! Back through the portal, twisty and blue, returning home with dreams anew.

He hugged the book, his new-found friend, and knew this was not the end. 'Adventures call in the morning light, but for now, sleep tight.'

Max closed his eyes and whispered low, 'Through the pages, dreams will flow.' The stars winked, the moonbeam smiled, in dreams, he stayed, a curious child.