Urashima Tarō - Japanese

The big blue sea was so beautiful, and the waves made a soft shushing sound on the sand. A kind fisherman named Urashima Tarō lived by the sea, and he loved the water. One sunny day, Urashima Tarō walked on the beach and saw some children. Oh no. They were poking a little turtle with a stick. The turtle looked very sad. This is the Japanese tale of Urashima Tarō.

Urashima Tarō was a very, very kind man. He felt sad for the little turtle. He told the children, “Please be nice to the turtle.” He gently picked up the turtle and helped it go back home to the cool, blue water. Splash. The turtle was happy. But wait. The turtle turned around and said, “Thank you.” What a surprise, a talking turtle. The turtle said, “Come with me to a magical palace under the sea.” So Urashima Tarō climbed on the turtle’s big, green back. Whoosh. They went down, down, down into the sparkling water. They saw bright fish swim by and tall seaweed wave hello. Soon they saw a big, sparkly palace made of shiny shells and pearls. A kind princess named Otohime lived there. She smiled and said, “Welcome.” They ate yummy snacks and danced with silly jellyfish. It was so much fun.

After a few happy days, Urashima Tarō missed his home. It was time to go. Princess Otohime was sad to say goodbye. She gave him a special present. It was a pretty, shiny box. “This box is magic,” she said. “But you must not open it. Never, ever open it.” Urashima Tarō promised he would not open the box. He went back home and always remembered his wonderful trip under the sea. He kept the box to remember the kind princess. And he always remembered that being kind to animals is a very good thing to do. It can lead to a big adventure.