In a village far away, deep in a valley, all the animals and birds disappeared some years ago. Only the rebellious young teacher and an old man dare talk about animals to the children, who have never seen these mythical creatures. One wretched little boy dreams of them, begins to whoop like an owl and disappears. A stubborn girl called Maya and her friend Matti are drawn to explore, though they know there are dangers beyond, and that at night Nehi the Mountain Demon returns to the village . . .