Treasure hunt - the adventure begins

The first riddle

"What is the first riddle?" Jonas called excitedly. "Go 200 meters to the east," Sophie read aloud. "We will need the compass for that, but I don't remember how to use one," she said. "It's quite simple," called Medina, who was holding the compass. "The red needle here always points north. If we align the needle to the north, we can read where the other cardinal directions are. For example, south is exactly on the opposite side. And here we've got an 'E'…" "For 'east'!" Jonas exclaimed triumphantly. "That's the direction we need to go in!"

The second riddle

The three friends weaved through the park paths, their hearts racing with excitement. The map led them out of the greenery and into the bustling streets of New York City. Just as Jonas had predicted, they didn't have to walk far. Soon, they found themselves standing in front of an iconic landmark, one that every New Yorker—and nearly every visitor—knew well: the Empire State Building.

"Here we are," Medina said, her eyes wide as she gazed up at the towering skyscraper. "But where's the next hint?"

Jonas frowned, his brow furrowing in concentration as he scanned the area. "I don't see anything unusual," he admitted. Sophie, ever the thinker, pulled out the tattered book of riddles.

"Maybe the answer's in here," she suggested, flipping through its delicate pages. Her fingers stopped on a section that looked different from the rest. "Here! It says something about this landmark."

Medina and Jonas leaned in closer. Sophie read aloud, "To uncover the next clue, answer these three questions about the building that scrapes the sky. Only then will your path continue to unfold."

Their hearts pounded with anticipation as they prepared to read the first riddle. The adventure had only just begun, and they were ready for whatever challenge came next.

The third riddle

After several minutes of intense concentration, the three friends managed to answer all the questions correctly. They high-fived each other, their faces lighting up with relief and excitement.

"That wasn't easy," Medina admitted, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. "I didn't know the Empire State Building had so many interesting facts!"

"Yeah," Jonas agreed, his eyes still sparkling from the thrill of solving the riddles. "But we did it. So, what's next?"

Just then, the tattered book of riddles seemed to shimmer slightly. Sophie noticed it first and quickly opened it. A new hint had appeared on the page they were just reading. She read it aloud, "Follow the map you found in the box to uncover your next destination."

They immediately pulled out the old map they'd discovered earlier. It was simple and lacked street names, but a prominent mark stood out, about a kilometer away from their current position in New York City.

"I guess we have to walk to find out what this spot is," Jonas said, peering at the map.

Medina nodded, "It's not too far, but we need to figure out which direction to go."

Sophie reached into her backpack and pulled out a small compass. "We'll need to use this again," she said with determination. "Let's combine it with the map to make sure we're heading the right way."

Their hearts raced once more, ready for the next leg of their adventure.

"Okay, if I've got it right, we need to go east from our location over the bridge, then turn north after two cross streets, and then turn northeast by the water," said Jonas. "Nonsense, we need to go west and cross the river, then north after two cross streets, and finally northwest," shouted Sophie. "You're both wrong," Medina interjected. "First, we go east to the intersection, then four cross streets north, and then three cross streets east."

The fourth riddle

Medina, Jonas, and Sophie gathered around the base of the ancient oak tree, the excitement palpable in the air. The tree's shadow loomed over them, adding an air of mystery to their quest. The book in Sophie's hands seemed almost alive, as if it was eager to share its secrets.

"We're so close," Medina whispered, her eyes wide with anticipation. Jonas reached out and gently touched the ornate box within the hollow of the tree. The carvings on the box seemed to tell stories of their own, but the padlock was a stubborn barrier between them and their prize.

Sophie flipped through the pages of the book, her fingers moving quickly as she searched for the right section. Finally, she found it: a series of riddles that promised to reveal the number combination needed to unlock the treasure.

"Here it is," she said, her voice steady but filled with excitement. "The riddles that will help us open the lock."

Jonas leaned in closer, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Read them out loud, Sophie. Let's solve this together."

With everyone gathered around, Sophie took a deep breath and began to read the first riddle aloud. The ancient oak tree seemed to listen as well, its leaves rustling softly in the wind as if whispering encouragement.

The adventure was far from over, and with each word Sophie spoke, they edged closer to uncovering the hidden secrets of the treasure within the tree.

The last riddle

"Wow, that wasn't easy, but I think we answered all the questions correctly," Sophie exclaimed happily. "And now?" "Let me check quickly," said Jonas. Then he said indignantly, "We have to add up the numbers from all three questions. Nobody told me I would have to do math today!" "Don't worry, Jonas, I'll do it," replied Medina and started adding up the numbers.

"I think I've got it!" she finally shouted. "Quick, let's enter the combination immediately!"

Excitedly, they all gathered in front of the number lock.