A story written and illustrated by children, connecting Europe’s lakes, dreams, and hearts


Schools from the countries that are part of this project are joining their creativity to tell the magical story of a little fish named Lumi, who dreams of visiting all the lakes in these countries.
In a peaceful lake in Maramureș, Romania, lives a curious blue fish named Lumi.
Every day, he looks at the sky and wonders what other lakes look like in distant countries.
One night, a moonbeam whispers:
And so begins Lumi’s journey — a voyage from lake to lake, from country to country, discovering nature, friendship, and the beauty of our shared world
Adina Veronica Godja
„Dr. Ioan Mihalyi de Apșa” Gymnasium School, Sighetu Marmației, Romania


In a hidden corner of the town, where morning mist lies gently over the water like a silvery veil, there was Lake Teplița — calm, deep, and full of life.
In its clear waters lived Lumi, a small silver fish whose scales shimmered like drops of moonlight.
Lumi was curious. Every day he watched the stream that flowed out of the lake, racing away to places he could only imagine.
The other fish warned him:
— “Don’t go, Lumi! The waters beyond are strange and cold, full of dangers!”
But Lumi’s curiosity was stronger than his fear. One night, when the full moon turned the surface of the lake into a sheet of silver, Lumi decided:
— “I must see what lies beyond. I want to know the world!”
And so his journey began.

— “If you truly wish to see the world,” said the old carp, “follow the rivers to the sea. But remember where you came from — that’s where your heart lives.”
Berinde Măricuța Ioana
„Dr. Ioan Mihalyi de Apșa” Gymnasium School, Sighetu Marmației, Romania




Lumi greeted his friends and jumped into the Danube. The water was cold, but Lumi had a goal in mind: to get to know Europe. He swam fast and did not turn around, because he was sorry to leave his friends. He traveled for three days and arrived in Serbia. There he will visit many lakes, some of which are Oblačinsko and Rastovničko lakes in the Toplica region.


Here's what he learned from the old swan Miša:Oblačinsko Lake is a natural lake in southeastern Serbia, fifteen kilometers northeast of Prokuplje, near Mali Jastrebac. The lake is approximately round in shape and about 1 km in diameter, near the village of Oblačina.
Lumi, a curious little fish, swam all the way from her cozy pond to explore the colorful town of Subotica,Serbia. As she glided past the artful buildings and cheerful parks, she overheard a group of children talking about a magical place called Lake Palić. Intrigued, Lumi followed the sound of laughter and splashing water, hoping to find new friends and shimmering adventures.
When she finally reached Lake Palić, Lumi dove in with a joyful splash, ready to discover the wonders hidden beneath its gentle waves. There, Lumi found a joyful group of fish who welcomed her with bubbly songs and shimmering underwater game.

"Ladybugs"
Šumica kindergarten, Subotica
Serbia



Kindergarten ,, Čika Jova Zmaj" Pirot, Serbia
So, the little fish, Lumi, swam along the current of the Danube, passed through the Bosporus, slipped into the Aegean Sea, and admired the blue waters sparkling in the sunlight.
But the sun was so strong that it made her little skin bright red!
“Oh dear, I need to find a quiet, cool corner to rest,” she thought.
Nearby, a beautiful sea bream was swimming proudly, saying she was Miss Mediterranean. The sea bream smiled and said to her:
“My dear Lumi, if you want to find a lovely place, go to the Prokopos Lagoon, in Strofilia, in Western Achaia.
Lumi thanked the sea bream. She swam away happily and reached the lagoon.
Around her, reeds were gently swaying and whispering, “Welcome!”And some beautiful pink flamingos, with legs like reeds, were searching for their food in the water. A bit further on, she met the local residents — some kind grey mullets, some friendly sea bass,and a few smiling loggerhead turtles that had also come for a little holiday! And even further down, she saw a pelican, some ducks, and tiny green frogs saying, “quack-quack!”

Lumi was so excited!
She made friends with the sea bass and told them stories about the lakes she had seen and about the great river, the Danube.
She spoke about her love for traveling… Everyone listened to her with admiration!
She would stay with them for a few days to rest and then continue her journey,
looking for new adventures and new friends!
52nd Kindergarten of Patras-GREECE
Simopoulou Fotini


Lumi's heart was full of joy from the stories she had shared with the sea bass , but she also felt a sweet tiredness. The sea bass, the grey mullets, and the smiling loggerhead turtles had told her this place was a safe haven for rest.
“What beautiful colors the world has here!” she thought, as she watched the tall reeds gently swaying in the air. She remembered the bright colors of her home—the red of the mud, the blue of the deep, the yellow of the sand—but everything here was brighter.
Suddenly, as she was swimming among the seaweed, a small fish darted past. It was full of red, blue, yellow, and green stripes, looking as if it had been painted by the sun and the sea! The fish was also wearing three silver triangles on its sides, which shone like mirrors.
“Hello! Are you a visitor too?” Lumi asked.
“I am the Sorceress of Colors, an enchanted Sea Bream!
My name is Iris because I am made from all the colors of the rainbow that falls over the lagoon!” the fish answered, shaking her colorful tail. “My stripes are the colors that divide the light, and my silver triangles are the first stars that rise at dusk!”
Lumi was surprised. "Are you Miss Mediterranean's cousin?"

“Exactly! Miss Mediterranean sent me! She saw how tired you were from your journey from the Danube and asked me to help you. I brought you this!”
Iris, waving her colorful fins, brought a small, shiny pebble from the bottom , which looked like it had captured the glow of a flamingo's feather.
“It is a pebble of strength,” Iris explained. “It will help you continue your journey full of energy. Did you see the Pelican and the Ducks further down?”
“Yes, and I heard the tiny green frogs saying 'quack-quack'!” Lumi said, laughing.
“Get ready, Lumi,” Iris said, “because the world is vast and the sea is calling you. Beyond the Black Mountains, an even greater adventure awaits!”
Lumi thanked Iris, put the shiny pebble in her small seaweed pouch, and took a deep breath. She was well-rested. She was ready for her next destination, where the stories of the Danube would meet the secrets of the Mediterranean!
Agathi Pagania
52nd kindergarten
of Patras/Greece




Lumi clutched the pebble of strength in his small seaweed pouch, feeling a warm, glittering energy flowing through him. Iris, the Sorceress of Colors, was right. He was well-rested and ready.
“Well, Iris,” Lumi asked, “what adventure awaits me?”
Iris shook her colorful fins and her silver triangles gleamed. “Before you set off, you must learn a secret of Prokopos. Do you see that pelican?”
Lumi looked toward the shore. The pelican stood tall, its large beak resting on its chest, as if contemplating something serious.
“Yes, I see him. That is Petros, the wise one of the lagoon.”
“Correct. Every time a traveler passes through here, Petros gives them a piece of advice, an ‘Orientation’ for their journey. But his advice is hidden somewhere…”
Lumi approached Petros the Pelican with respect. The tiny green frogs continued to say ‘quack-quack’, but Lumi heard something else—a soft, rhythmic thumping from the seabed, directly beneath the pelican.

“Good evening, Wise Petros,” whispered Lumi. “Iris said you have an ‘Orientation’ for me.”
Petros the Pelican remained still, but a rhythmic thumping could be heard from the seabed. Lumi noticed an open seashell among the roots, containing a piece of bark with luminous writing. He read:
“When you leave the Sea, look to the Sun.Do not let fear darken your way.In the place that calls you, the water is a mystery and runs fast.Look up at the mountains, but dive deep into the hearts of people.”
“I understand,” Lumi told Iris. “The old carp told me to remember my homeland, but Petros tells me to dive deep into the hearts of people, wherever the fast water leads me.”
After bidding his friends farewell, Lumi felt the strength of the pebble and swam toward the exit of the lagoon, towards the sun. The Danube was a story, the Mediterranean a gift. The next place was the next great adventure.
Maria Ioanna Rigopoulou
52nd Kindergarten of Patras/Greece



Following the warm currents, Lumi felt the water grow cooler and fresher. Soon, she entered a wide, shimmering river — the Neris, gently flowing through Lithuania. The water was full of life: various kinds of little fish swam by, sometimes leaping above the ripples, while tiny river crayfish hid among the stones, and small spiders and shrimps gently swayed among the water plants. Curious little ducks followed her, thinking she was a silver leaf drifting in the water. Occasionally, gentle crucians and perches swam past, and the shimmering shadows of other water creatures danced on the surface. Lumi smiled. “What a peaceful place,” she thought. “The water here carries the songs of the forests and the laughter of children.” She decided to rest near a small bend in the river, where the stones sparkled like tiny stars — and wondered what new friends and discoveries awaited her in this calm northern land.
Vaida Nainė Kaunas kindergarten Vilnelė. Lithuania
But as he rested, he felt that he had left something behind, something he had not discovered from his trip to Greece. A green-headed duck that had sat in the area to rest saw Lumi and approached her.
-I know what's happening to you, in Greece there is a wetland that you haven't visited. It is the Vravrona wetland and it is located near the capital of Greece. The wetland is next to the temple of the goddess Artemis. The Ancient Greeks believed that the Goddess Artemis was the patron Goddess of wildlife and hunting.
It's a magical place that you should definitely visit. Climb on my wings and I'll take you there.
-But how are we going to get there since I can't live outside the water?
-I have an idea! Get inside this magical pouch that is filled with water and it will protect you until we get there.



And so it happened! The journey was long but truly wonderful. There she encountered a beautiful landscape full of tamarisks and reeds. The animals of the wetland gathered around the pond to welcome her. Turtles, lizards, frogs and the Attic fish were all there…
3rd Kindergarten of Artemis (Full Day Class) (Greece)
Delimani Vassiliki






All the animals took Lumi on a tour of the Wetlands. They followed the stream to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Artemis, passing the plants, and when they got closer to the water they saw something different swimming in the shallows... as they approached they realized they were tadpoles. Lumi had never seen tadpoles before and was told they would soon become frogs. Lumi was so excited… -'' That seems magical, I wish I had some magic to help me on my journey so I could go to my next destination. Then... the goddess Artemis appeared out of nowhere
"My dear Lumi, I have followed your journey so far and I am here to help you reach your next destination... if you think of where you want to go, my magical powers will help you get there immediately."
"Thank you, I will forever cherish this adventure and all the experiences you have guided me through, I am ready to continue my journey, thank you all!!"
3rd Kindergarten of Artemis
Sylvia Karagiannis
The little fish Lumi swam happily down the Sava River.
The water was clear and cool, and the waves gently carried her farther and farther.
When she reached the big city of Zagreb, Lumi looked around in amazement.
So many bridges! So many people! And – so many lakes!
She swam into a large, sunny lake called Jarun.On the surface of the lake, she saw rowers in long, narrow boats gliding across the water.
Lumi swam between the waves the boats made and laughed with joy.
– “They’re so fast! It’s as if they have magic powers like me,” giggled Lumi and made circles in the water. She kept swimming until she reached the Maksimir Lakes.
It was peaceful there, full of green plants, and the surface of the water was covered with large water lilies.
Their round leaves floated like little green plates, and above them rose beautiful flowers – white, pink, and yellow.
Lumi curiously swam up to one of the flowers.
– “Who are you?” she asked softly.
The flower gently bent toward her and seemed to whisper:
– “I am a water lily. My leaves float on the water and give shade to fish and frogs. During the day I open toward the sun, and at night I close my petals to rest.” Lumi smiled.
– “How lovely! You’re like a little umbrella for all of us in the water.”
Then a quiet voice came from the nearby reeds:
– “Hello, traveler! I’m Maxi the turtle. Welcome to Maksimir!”
Maxi slowly appeared on the surface of the water, shining in the sunlight.
– “Many animals live here in the lakes,” she explained. “Fish, frogs, ducks… and if you’re lucky, you might even see an otter. She loves to swim, play, and catch fish – but don’t worry, she won’t eat you! Otters are curious and very playful.”
– “Who’s talking about otters?” said a cheerful voice as someone did a somersault in the water.
Lumi laughed and waved her fins.
– “I’m Lumi! I travel the world and meet new friends!”
Vida the otter showed her how to dive, roll in the water, and make bubbles.
– “You see, Lumi, the water is our home. We play in it, find food, and take care of each other,” said Vida and splashed her tail.
When the sun began to set, the lake turned golden and calm.
The water lilies were slowly closing their blossoms, while the birds softly sang their lullabies.
Lumi felt a deep sense of peace in her heart.
“It is so beautiful here,” she whispered. “Every place has its own wonder.”
Maxi the Turtle smiled and replied:
“Yes, Lumi, every lake has its own story — you just need to listen to it.”
Lumi nestled comfortably among the lily pads, her fins gently swaying with the waves.
She knew that tomorrow she would set off once again — towards a new adventure and new friends.
Kindergarten "Duga", Zagreb, Croatia
Teacher: Valentina Glavica

Far away, in a sparkling lake in Croatia, a boy named Apollonas went on a trip with his family. They swam, fished, laughed, and shared wonderful moments together.
One day, they caught a little fish named Lummi!
They placed her in a glass bowl with some soil from her lake, a little green grass, some food, and, of course, water. Then they carefully put the bowl in their camper van and drove 510 kilometers back home to Drama, Greece.
But poor Lummi was not happy. She missed her lake and did not want to eat. So Apollonas and is Family decided to set her free in a lake near Drama. At the bottom of the lake, Lummi spotted a large clay vessel—an ancient amphora! She swam inside, found some food, and thought, “Maybe this could be my new home.” A few days later, she discovered a shiny pearl hidden in a small hole inside the amphora. Thinking it was a ball, she started playing with it.
Suddenly, the pearl cracked open, and a bright magical light burst out!
Outside the lake, a little girl named Dimitra saw the glowing light. She smiled, felt happy, and jumped into the water. She picked up the amphora filled with water and ran to show it to her parents. But the amphora had a hole, and the water slowly began to drip out.
So her parents decided to pour the remaining water into the sea. And so Lummi continued her journey, Swimming far and free—wherever the water would carry her.



13th Kindergarten Dramas, GRECCE, Athanasia Batsiou


Lumi the little fish was very happy. She had traveled through many lakes and new places, made many friends, and seen many wonderful things.
As she swam peacefully, a colorful whirlpool began to spin around her. The water sparkled, and in an instant, Lumi found herself in a beautiful lake surrounded by tall trees and green leaves. It was Lake Măștăreț, in the Ceala Forest, near the city of Arad, Romania.
The lake was full of life and color. There, Lumi met Mia, a graceful white swan, and Rainbow Carp, the oldest and wisest fish in the lake. Mia told her how the lake changed with each season, while Rainbow Carp invited her to explore the deep waters.
Together, they discovered playful frogs jumping across the lily pads and watched ducks flying high in the clear blue sky. Lumi laughed and felt happy and free.
As the sun began to set, the water started to sparkle once again.
It was a sign that Lumi had to continue her journey.





Popovici Tatiana Adriana
Grădinița PP „Curcubeul copiilor”
, Arad, România
“Thank you, Mia! Thank you, Rainbow Carp! I will never forget you!”
In a flash of shimmering light, Lumi was carried away by the waves, ready for a new happy adventure, knowing that the world is full of beautiful places and good friends.
Peștișorul Lumi s-a lăsat purtat de vârtejul colorat al luminii, pregătit pentru o nouă aventură după ce și-a luat rămas bun de la prietenii ei de la Lacul Măltăreț, situat în Pădurea Ceala, lângă Arad.
Lumina a purtat-o printr-un spațiu magic, iar când a simțit din nou apa calmă din jurul ei, Lumi a știut că ajunsese într-un alt loc minunat. Era un lac cristalin, înconjurat de maluri verzi și copaci mari.
— „O, salut! De unde ai apărut așa deodată?”
Lumi s-a întors surprinsă. O broască mare, cu pielea verde strălucitoare și ochi mari și curioși, stătea pe o frunză de nufăr.
— „Bună ziua!”, a răspuns Lumi zâmbind. „Mă numesc Lumi. Tocmai am ajuns din România, de la Lacul Măltăreț, și se pare că sunt acum în... hmm, unde sunt?”
Broasca a croncănit veselă. „Ați ajuns la Lacul Rokiskis, aici în Lituania. Eu sunt Broasca. Bine ați venit!”
Lumi a fost imediat fermecată de noul lac. „E foarte frumos aici, Broscule!”
„Și va fi și mai frumos”, s-a auzit o voce calmă și blândă din adâncuri.






























Beyond the algae, a European Pond Turtle appeared with a smooth shell. It was Pond Turtle, a rare and highly respected resident of the lake.
"In the summer, when many people come to the lake, we have a special guard," explained the Turtle. Soon, a huge Catfish with long whiskers swam up to them.
"Welcome, young traveler," the Catfish said thunderously but friendly. "I look after the order here. I take care of the lake's ecology and always remind everyone that it is essential to collect their rubbish. Our lake must remain clean and beautiful for future generations!" Lumi nodded in agreement, impressed by the Catfish's dedication. Just then, an energetic Sandpiper flew past. "Hey, do you want to play a bubble game?" she asked Lumi. The Sandpiper showed how to quickly release small, shimmering bubbles while swimming fast and catch them. Lumi and Frog joined in and played happily until they got tired.
Taking a break, the Sandpiper and Frog told Lumi about another special friend of the lake: "Sometimes a friendly Brown Bear comes to the lake. She sits on a large stone on the shore and tells wonderful stories about distant forests and mountains. All the animals gather to listen to her."
"In the summer, we also have another secret," Pond Turtle said again. "Not far from here, we have the lake's SPA centre, where all the residents come to relax."




















Lumi was enthusiastic. A SPA for fish? This was something new!
Pond Turtle led them all through a labyrinth of aquatic plants. They reached a special place where underground springs brought warm, mineral-rich water. It looked like a natural jacuzzi! There, a lot of other fish, snails, and even a few crayfish were resting quietly, enjoying the treatments.
Lumi, Frog, the Catfish, and Pond Turtle relaxed together, talking about Lumi's adventures and the life in Lake Rokiskis. Lumi felt completely refreshed and full of new impressions.
When the sun started to set on the horizon, the water began to shine magically again – it was Lumi's sign that she had to leave.
— "I have to swim off now," Lumi said sadly, that the adventure was ending so quickly.
— "We are sorry to see you go," Frog said, "but you are always welcome here, at Lake Rokiskis!"
The Catfish added thunderously: "And don't forget, cleanliness is very important!" Pond Turtle escorted her with his gaze: "Travel safely, Lumi. We will remember you." Lumi said goodbye to her new friends, remembering the wonderful experience in Lake Rokiskis. Sonata Stoškuvienė
























Lumi at the lake Mrzla Vodica
Lumi heard stories of a lake Mrzla Vodica, from a swan named Juraj. He lives there with his friends: the oldest fish in the lake Grga. He knows all the stories in the lake, he knows everyone! One of his best friends is hunter Luka. Luka is good hunter, he takes care of the lake, fish, swan, of plants and trees...
Grga told to Lumi that our lake might be small, but it's important for people here- they have drinking water from it. And his lake often visit cyclists and mountaineers.
Lumi also met a flock of little fish who were enchanted by Lumi and the stories they heard. They promised to visit, when they grew up! They all said goodbye, saddened that Lumi has to go, but more excitements are waiting!
Kindergarten Morčić, Bubbles, Rijeka, Croatia
Ena Škaljo and Lana Kustić



