Rouk is a boy who lives on a small island with a mysterious whirlpool on it. His best friends are his animals, a cowardly, clumsy dog named George, a confident, agile cat named Bruce, and Freida, a new kitten who desperately wants to join in on their daily adventures.
When Freida accidentally falls down the whirlpool, Rouk and his best friends decide to follow her. When they emerge on the other side, they find a world full of wonder. With the help of two other animalsÑwho belonged to Rouk's parents' before he was bornÑthey must figure out how to escape and return home. But they face one major obstacle: the Lady on the Rock, whose sworn duty is to ensure that no one who comes through the whirlpool gets home.