Momotaro
Born from a peach? No way—actually...
The tale of Momotaro being born from a peach spread during the Edo period, but an earlier version says that an old woman ate a peach that came floating down the river, became young again, and was given a baby. Peaches were also considered sacred fruit that drove away evil, and Momotaro was a symbol of warding off bad luck.
Long, long ago, in a certain village, there lived an old man and an old woman. One sunny day, the old woman went to the river to do the washing. The river water sparkled and flowed along pleasantly with a soft murmur. The old woman was busily washing clothes. That was when it happened. "Donburiko, donburiko," and one big peach came floating down from upstream. The peach bobbed lightly on the water and slowly drew near. The old woman opened her eyes wide and said, "My, what a big peach! What a delicious-looking peach!" Leaving her washing just as it was, the old woman stretched out both hands and pulled the big peach up out of the river. The peach fit snugly in her arms, was quite heavy, and was warm.
The old woman hugged the big peach and went back home. At home, the old man had come back from the mountains after gathering firewood. "Grandpa, Grandpa! I found a big peach in the river!" The old woman happily showed him the peach. The old man was surprised too and opened his eyes wide. "This is a splendid peach. Now, let's split it and eat it together." The old man took out a knife and gently set the blade against the peach. But then, what do you think happened? The peach made a pop and split cleanly in two. And then—what do you know! From inside, a lively little boy came bounding out. "Oh my, what a lively child!" The old man and the old woman were very surprised, and then overjoyed.
The boy smiled brightly and looked back and forth between the old man's and the old woman's faces. "Since this child was born from a peach, let's name him Momotaro," the old man said, and the old woman narrowed her eyes and said, "What a good name." From then on, Momotaro grew up healthy and strong. He ate a great deal of rice, and his strength grew stronger and stronger. The old man and the old woman raised Momotaro with love, as if he were their own child. Momotaro was a kind boy, and he helped the old man gather firewood and helped the old woman draw water. The villagers also adored Momotaro. And so, Momotaro grew into a fine, full-of-energy boy.
One day, bad news reached the village. It was said that the ogres living on Ogre Island across the sea were coming to the village, ruining the crops, and stealing treasures. The villagers were completely at a loss. When Momotaro heard this, he said with a determined face, "All right, then I will go to Ogre Island and drive the ogres away." The old man and the old woman were worried, but Momotaro's resolve was firm. "Grandpa, Grandma, please don't worry. I will surely defeat the ogres and protect the village." Momotaro's eyes were full of courage and shone brightly.
On the morning of his departure, the old woman made many millet dumplings in the kitchen. "Momotaro, take these with you as food for your journey. Eat them when you get hungry." The old woman put the millet dumplings into a bag and handed it to Momotaro. Momotaro smiled brightly and said, "Thank you, Grandma. These millet dumplings will surely come in handy." The old man patted Momotaro on the head and said, "Be careful out there. Come back safely." Momotaro slung the big bag over his shoulder and cheerfully set out from home. "I'm off!" Momotaro's voice rang out high and clear into the morning sky.
As Momotaro walked along the mountain path, he met a dog. The dog wagged its tail and came up to Momotaro. "Momotaro, Momotaro, where are you off to?" asked the dog. "I'm going to Ogre Island to defeat the ogres," Momotaro answered proudly. "Then please let me come with you. I'll be your companion," the dog said, its eyes shining. Momotaro smiled and gave the dog one millet dumpling. "Here you go. Eat this and get your strength up." The dog gobbled up the millet dumpling and wagged its tail with joy. And so, the dog became Momotaro's first companion.
As Momotaro and the dog walked on, this time they met a monkey. The monkey came swinging down from a tree. "Momotaro, Momotaro, where are you off to?" asked the monkey. "I'm going to Ogre Island to defeat the ogres," Momotaro answered cheerfully. "Then please let me be your companion too. I'm good at hard work," the monkey said, thumping his chest. Momotaro gave the monkey one millet dumpling. "Here you go. Eat this and let's do our best together." The monkey ate the millet dumpling, smiled, and bowed. And so, the monkey became Momotaro's second companion. The dog and the monkey began walking side by side in friendship.
As the three walked on, this time a pheasant came flying toward them. The pheasant flapped its wings and landed in front of Momotaro. "Momotaro, Momotaro, where are you off to?" asked the pheasant. "I'm going to Ogre Island to defeat the ogres," Momotaro answered firmly. "Then please let me be your companion too. I'll fly up and see how the ogres are doing from the sky," the pheasant said, spreading its beautiful wings. Momotaro gave the pheasant one millet dumpling. "Here you go. Eat this and let's fly through the sky together." The pheasant ate the millet dumpling and spun around happily. And so, the pheasant became Momotaro's third companion. With the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant—three companions—by his side, Momotaro marched on toward Ogre Island.
At last, Momotaro and his friends crossed the sea and arrived at Onigashima, the ogres' island. The island was home to many ogres with horns on their heads. When the ogres saw Momotaro and his friends, they laughed loudly. "What? Just a boy and three animals? We're not scared at all!" But Momotaro was not afraid. "Everyone, let's work together and defeat the ogres!" he shouted. The dog bit the ogres' legs, the monkey scratched their faces, and the pheasant pecked their heads. Momotaro, with his great strength, hit the ogres with all his might. The ogres could not stand it. "We give up! We give up! We won't do bad things anymore!" they apologized. And so, Momotaro and his friends bravely defeated the ogres.
The ogres handed over all their treasure to Momotaro and his friends. Momotaro and his friends loaded the treasure onto their cart and returned to the village. When they reached the village, the old man and the old woman welcomed them with tears in their eyes. "Momotaro, you came back safely! Well done!" The old man hugged Momotaro tightly. The old woman said with a smile, "Now, let me make you a delicious meal!" Momotaro, together with the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant, lived happily ever after with the old man and the old woman. The river water sparkled today as well, flowing gently. Congratulations! Congratulations!
