Momotaro: The Peach Boy

📖 Chapter 1: The Peach That Floated Downstream

Long ago in a quiet village in Japan, there lived an old man and an old woman. They had no children, and their days were simple but lonely.

One day, the old man went to the mountains to gather firewood. The old woman went to the river to wash clothes.

As she scrubbed her laundry by the stream, something strange floated toward her — a giant peach, round and golden, bobbing gently on the current.

“Oh my,” she gasped, “what a fine peach! My husband and I shall share this for supper.”

She lifted the peach and carried it home in her arms.

📖 Chapter 2: A Boy From the Peach

When the old man returned home and saw the peach, he was delighted. But just as they were about to cut it open — pop! — the peach split, and out came a baby boy!

The couple jumped back in surprise.

The boy bowed politely and said, “Do not be afraid. Heaven has sent me to be your child.”

They named him Momotaro, meaning Peach Boy, and raised him with love.

He grew quickly, stronger and wiser than any other child in the village.

📖 Chapter 3: The Ogres of Onigashima

One day, Momotaro heard troubling news. Across the sea, on Onigashima — Demon Island — wicked ogres (oni) were stealing treasures and harming people.

“I must defeat these oni and bring peace,” said Momotaro.

The old woman made him millet dumplings — kibi dango, said to be the best in all Japan — and packed them for his journey.

“Be brave,” said the old man, placing a hand on his shoulder. “And be kind.”

📖 Chapter 4: The Companions

As Momotaro walked toward the shore, he met a dog.

“Where are you going, brave boy?” asked the dog.

“I go to fight the ogres,” said Momotaro. “Would you come with me? I’ll give you one of my dumplings.”

The dog wagged his tail and joined him.

Soon after, a monkey appeared. “Can I come too?” he asked, sniffing the dumplings.

“Only if you fight bravely,” Momotaro smiled.

And then came a bright pheasant, wings flashing in the sun. She too joined the journey.

So the four set off: Momotaro, the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant — friends bound by courage and dumplings.

📖 Chapter 5: The Battle on Demon Island

The waves crashed as they sailed to Onigashima. The island loomed with dark cliffs and thunderclouds.

When they arrived, the ogres roared and charged.

The pheasant flew high and pecked from above. The monkey leapt over the walls and opened the gates. The dog barked and bit at the legs of the ogres.

And Momotaro, with a banner flying and sword shining, led them into battle.

Together, they fought with cleverness and heart.

At last, the ogres cried out, “Spare us! We will never harm anyone again!”

They handed over their treasures and bowed in shame.

📖 Chapter 6: The Journey Home

With the ogres’ treasure loaded on their boat, Momotaro and his companions sailed home.

The village rang bells of joy as they returned.

The old man and old woman wept with happiness.

From that day on, peace returned to the land.

And Momotaro, the Peach Boy, was remembered for his courage, kindness, and the friends he made along the way.

The End. (And so the tale of Momotaro lives on in every peach blossom and every dumpling shared with a friend.)

Full text for older children

Momotaro – The Peach Boy

A long time ago in a quiet Japanese village, there lived an old man and an old woman. They were poor peasants who worked hard each day just to have enough rice to eat. The old man went out to the hills to cut grass for nearby farmers, and while he was gone, the old woman did the household chores and tended to their small rice field.

One day, the old man headed to the hills as usual, and the old woman went to the river to wash clothes. It was early summer, and everything was green and beautiful. The grass along the riverbank looked like soft emerald velvet, and the pussy willows swayed gently in the breeze. The river sparkled, and little fish darted through the clear water.

As the old woman scrubbed clothes on the stones, she suddenly noticed something unusual—a huge peach floating down the river toward her. She had never seen a peach so big in all her life.

“What a delicious-looking peach!” she said. “I must take it home to share with my husband.”

The peach was drifting just out of reach. She thought about finding a stick to pull it closer but worried it might float away before she returned. Then she remembered a little song she used to sing:

“Distant water is bitter,The near water is sweet;Pass by the distant waterAnd come into the sweet.”

As she clapped her hands and sang the verse, the peach slowly drifted closer and closer—until it bumped right against the bank. Delighted, she picked it up, packed her clothes, and hurried home.

When her husband returned at sunset, carrying a huge bundle of grass, she excitedly greeted him.

“I’ve been waiting for you! Look what I found!”

She brought out the peach and held it up proudly. “Isn’t it the biggest peach you’ve ever seen?”

The old man was amazed. “Where did you buy that?”

“I didn’t! I found it in the river while I was washing clothes,” she said, and told him the whole story.

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat it now,” the old man said, reaching for a knife.

But just as he was about to cut the peach, it split open on its own—and to their astonishment, a baby boy stepped out!

“Wait a moment!” the boy said. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve come from Heaven because you’ve wished so long for a child. I’ve been sent to be your son.”

The old couple were overjoyed. After years of sadness at having no children, their prayers had been answered. They named the child Momotaro, meaning “Peach Boy.”

Momotaro Grows Up

Momotaro grew quickly into a strong, brave, and kind young man. By the time he turned fifteen, he was taller and tougher than all the other boys in the village.

One day, he said to his father:

“Father, you’ve raised me with so much love and care. Now I want to do something meaningful. I’ve heard of a distant island to the northeast where evil demons live. They steal from our people and even harm them. I want to go and defeat them, and bring peace to our land.”

The old man was surprised but proud. “You’re no ordinary boy, that’s clear. If this is your wish, then go. Just promise to come back safe.”

The old couple pounded rice into cakes—kibi dango—for Momotaro to take on his journey. With his sword at his side and a pouch of rice cakes, Momotaro said goodbye and set off.

Meeting His Companions

As Momotaro traveled, he stopped to eat lunch under a tree. Just then, a huge dog ran up to him and barked:

“Hey! You can’t pass through this field unless you give me all your food!”

Momotaro replied calmly, “I’m Momotaro. I’m on my way to fight the demons. If you stop me, I won’t hesitate to fight you!”

The dog bowed deeply. “I didn’t realize who you were! Please forgive me. I’d be honored to join you.”

Momotaro agreed and gave the dog half a rice cake.

Soon after, a monkey appeared and asked to join. The dog growled and objected, but Momotaro stopped them from fighting.

“If we’re going to defeat demons, we must work together. Come with us,” he said to the monkey, giving him a piece of cake too.

Later, a colorful pheasant flew down and also asked to join. The dog tried to fight again, but Momotaro scolded him.

“We must have harmony among ourselves. Quarreling helps no one.”

From that moment, the dog, monkey, and pheasant became friends, and together with Momotaro, they marched toward the island.

The Island of Demons

After days of travel, they reached the seashore. The sea stretched as far as the eye could see. The animals were nervous—they had never seen such a vast ocean.

Momotaro said, “Are you afraid? Then maybe I should go alone.”

Ashamed, the animals begged to continue. So they built a small boat and set sail together.

When they reached the island, they found the demon’s stronghold—a huge, spiked fortress. The pheasant flew over the walls and began attacking from above. The monkey climbed up and opened the gates from inside. The dog charged in with Momotaro and fought bravely.

After a fierce battle, the demons finally surrendered.

“Please spare us!” begged their leader. “We’ll return everything we stole and never bother your people again!”

Momotaro agreed, and they loaded the boat with treasure, food, and stolen goods. Triumphant, the group sailed home.

A Hero’s Return

When the old couple saw Momotaro return, they ran to greet him with tears of joy. The village cheered, and everyone celebrated the boy who had gone from peach to warrior.

From that day on, Momotaro and his companions lived peacefully, and their story was told across the land for generations.

The End.