Momotaro, the Peach Boy Fairy Tale

Long ago in Japan there lived an old man and an old woman who had no children. One day, while the old woman was washing clothes in the river, she saw a huge peach floating along on the water. She carried it home.

Just as the old man picked up a knife to cut the peach, it split open by itself, and out stepped a little boy! The old couple were overjoyed and named him Momotaro, which means "Peach Boy".

Momotaro grew up quickly and became a strong, brave young man. One day he heard that wicked ogres living on a faraway island were robbing the villages. "I will defeat them and bring back everything they stole," he said.

The old woman made him sweet millet dumplings for the journey. Along the way Momotaro met a dog, a monkey and a pheasant. He gave each of them a dumpling, and all three became his companions.

They sailed by boat to the ogres' island. The pheasant flew up and opened the fortress gates, the monkey climbed over the wall, and the dog and Momotaro bravely charged forward. The ogres were beaten and promised never to harm anyone again.

Momotaro and his friends returned the stolen treasure to the villages. The old couple welcomed their son home with open arms, and they all lived long and happy lives.