Urashima Taro

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This is an old story from Japan. Once upon a time there was a fisherman called Urashima Taro who lived in the village of Mizu-no-ye.

One day, Urashima Taro was walking along the beach when he saw a boy hitting a turtle with a stick. “Ow! Ow!” said the turtle.

“Stop hitting that turtle, boy!” shouted Urashima.

“It’s my turtle, Urashima Taro. I saw it first,” replied the boy.

“I will give you 3 silver coins for the turtle,” offered Urashima.

“It’s a deal, Urashima Taro,” agreed the boy.

“Now, go back to the village and do your homework.” The boy ran back to the village. Urashima Taro knelt down next to the turtle and patted its head. “Don’t worry, Turtle San. I will take you back to the sea.” And so the fisherman put the turtle into his boat and when he was out to sea, he gently put the turtle over the side and the turtle swam off. “Goodbye, Turtle San. Sayonara.”

About an hour later, the turtle came to the surface near the boat. “Oh. It’s Turtle San. Hello Turtle San. Konichi-wa.”

“Konichi-wa, Urashima Taro San.”

“You can speak!” said Urashima, very surprised.

“Of course I can. Princess Otohime wants to see you. Let’s go.” And with that, Urashima Taro climbed onto the turtle's back and off they went.

The journey to The kingdom of Rin Gin was fantastic. Urashima Taro saw beautiful corals, colourful fish, dolphins, whales and manta rays. He was amazed. At last they arrived at Princess Otohime's palace.

“Welcome to the palace of Rin Gin, Urashima Taro,” said Princess Otohime. The turtle and the fisherman bowed.

“Thank you for helping Turtle San, Urashima Taro.”

“You’re welcome, Your Majesty,” said Urashima Taro.

“You may stay in our palace as long as you want,” continued Princess Otohime.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” And so Urashima Taro stayed at the Rin Gin palace for a long time.

One day, Urashima Taro was looking very sad. “What’s the matter, Urashima Taro?” asked the princess.

“I miss my mother and father, Your Majesty. I want to go home.”

“I understand, Urashima Taro. Turtle San will take you home.” And so Urashima Taro began his long journey home, guided by his dear old friend, Turtle San.

“We have arrived, Urashimo Taro San,” said Turtle San. “This is the beach where you saved my life.”

“Yes, Turtle San. That's right.”

There was an old man walking slowly along the beach. “Good afternoon,” said the old man, “Konichi-wa.”

“Konichi-wa,” answered Urashima.

“What is your name?” inquired the old man.

“Urashima Taro.”

The old man turned as white as a ghost and fell down onto the sand. Urashima Taro put his jacket under the old man’s head. In a weak voice, the old man said,” I am so sorry, Urashima Taro.”

“What for, old man?”

“I am the boy who hit the turtle with a stick. Later that day, when you took the turtle out to sea, you fell out of your boat and were lost at sea. Some fishermen found your empty boat.”

“That’s impossible. You are an old man and I am still young.”

“Of course it’s possible,” interrupted Turtle San, “You have been away for 70 years."

Urashima was shocked.

"I must leave you now," said the turtle.

"Yes, yes," said the fisherman. They bowed to each other.

"Visit me sometimes when I'm fishing in the bay."

"Of course," said Turtle San and he disappeared back into the sea.

Urashima Taro carried the old man back to the village. Sadly for Urashima Taro, his parents had passed away many years before and his friends were now very old. Nevertheless, he married very happily and taught his children the importance of being kind to animals. And he often met his old friend Turtle San when he was fishing out at sea.