Japanese Folktale

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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00061

Also known as: “Little Peachling”

A long time ago, there lived an old man and an old woman. One day, the old man went to the mountains to cut grass, and the old woman went to the river to wash clothes. While she was washing, something big came floating down the stream. When the old woman saw it, she was excited and used a stick of bamboo nearby to pull it closer.

It was a huge peach! The old woman was delighted and hurried home, planning to share the peach with her husband. When they cut the peach in half, to their amazement, a baby boy popped out of the middle. They were overjoyed and named him Momotaro, which means “Little Peach Boy,” because he had come from a peach.

The old couple raised Momotaro with great care, and as he grew older, he became strong, kind, and brave. He was so strong that he soon decided he was ready for a great adventure. Momotaro told the old man and woman, “I will go to the island of the devils and bring back their treasures!” Though they were worried, they supported him and made him some special dumplings for his journey.

Momotaro set off on his brave adventure. As he walked along, a dog approached him and asked, “Momotaro, what do you have in your pouch?”

“These are the best dumplings ever made,” Momotaro replied.

“Give me one, and I will help you on your journey,” the dog said. So, Momotaro gave him a dumpling, and the dog joined him. A little further on, a monkey appeared and asked for a dumpling too, offering to help in exchange. Momotaro gladly gave him one. Later, a pheasant flew down, also asking for a dumpling, and it too joined the group.

Together, Momotaro, the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant marched toward the island of the devils. When they arrived, they bravely stormed through the front gate. Momotaro led the way with his companions following closely. The devils, fierce and large, tried to fight them off, but Momotaro and his friends were strong and determined.

Soon, they faced Akandoji, the chief of the devils, who swung a giant iron club at Momotaro. But Momotaro was quick and dodged it. The two fought fiercely until Momotaro, with his great strength and bravery, managed to tie up the devil leader with a rope, holding him tight.

Seeing they were defeated, Akandoji promised to surrender all his treasures. Momotaro agreed, and the devils brought out piles of gold, silver, and other precious things. With the treasure safely collected, Momotaro and his friends set off for home, proud of their victory.

When they returned, the old man and the old woman were overjoyed. They celebrated with a grand feast, and Momotaro told stories of his brave adventure. He thanked his loyal companions, the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant, for their help in making the journey a success.

In the end, Momotaro became a great and respected man, known for his bravery, kindness, and courage which helped him overcome the challenges he faced.

Source: “Momotaro; Or, Little Peachling Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 1.” Https://Www.gutenberg.org/Files/33051/33051-h/33051-H.htm, 28 Feb. 2017, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/33051/pg33051-images.html.