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MOMOTARO: THE BOY AND THE PEACH

 This tale is supposedly taking place in the city of Okayama, where one can today taste very good
peaches, and especially Kibi Dango, (Peach Dumplings), and where we are told there is a mysterious
cave, whose legend says it was dug by demons a long time ago.
 Once upon a time there lived an old man and his wife who were very lonely because they had no
children. One day the old man went into the mountains to cut firewood, and his wife went to the river to
wash clothes. No sooner had the old woman begun her washing, than she was very surprised to see a
big peach floating down the river. It was huge! The biggest she had ever seen! She pulled the peach
out of the river and took it home to surprise her husband, for he loved peaches. Late in the afternoon
the old man came home, and the old woman said to him: “Look what a wonderful peach I found for
your supper.” The old man said it was truly a beautiful peach. He was so hungry that he said: “Let’s
divide it and eat it.”
 So the old woman brought a big knife from the kitchen and was getting ready to cut the peach in half.
But just then there was the sound of a voice from inside the peach. “Wait! Don’t cut me!” Suddenly the
peach split open, and a beautiful baby boy jumped out. The old man and his wife were very happy, so
they took the baby to be their son. Since he was born from a peach, they named him Momotaro, which
means Peach Boy. They loved Momotaro very much and raised him well.
 When Momotaro was about fifteen years old, he went to his father and said: “Father, you have always
been very kind to me. Now that I have grown, I must do something to help my country. In a distant part
of the sea there is an island named Onigashima, literally meaning the Demon’s Island. Many wicked
ogres live there, and they often come to nearby lands to do bad things like carrying people away and
stealing possessions. So I’m going to go to Demon Island and fight them and bring back treasures.
Please let me do this.”
 The old man was surprised to hear this, but he was very proud of Momotaro for wanting to help other
people. So he and the old woman helped Momotaro get ready for his journey to Demon Island. The old
man gave him a sword and armor, and the old woman fixed him traditional Japanese sweets called,
Kibi Dango, which were going to be his key to victory. Then Momotaro began his journey.He walked
toward the sea, and as he traveled, he met a spotted dog. The dog growled at Momotaro and was
about to bite him, but then Momotaro gave him one of the dumplings. He told the spotted dog that he
was going to fight the ogres on Demon Island. So the dog said he’d come along too. Momotaro and the
spotted dog kept on walking and soon they met a monkey. The spotted dog and the monkey started to
fight. But Momotaro explained to the monkey that he and the spotted dog were going to fight the ogres
on Demon Island. Then the monkey asked if he could go with them. So Momotaro gave the monkey a
dumpling and brought him along. Momotaro and the spotted dog and the monkey kept on walking.
Suddenly they met a pheasant. The spotted dog and the monkey and the pheasant were about to start
fighting. But when the pheasant heard that Momotaro was going to fight the ogres on Demon Island, he
asked if he could go too. So Momotaro gave the pheasant a dumpling and brought him along.
 So, with Momotaro as their general, the spotted dog and the monkey and the pheasant, who usually
hated each other, all became friends and followed Momotaro. They walked a long, long way, and finally
reached the sea. At the edge of the sea Momotaro built a boat. They all got in the boat and started
across the sea toward Demon Island. When they came within sight of the island, they could see that
the ogres had a very strong fort there. And there were many ogres. There were many different colors of
ogre: red, blue, and green. First the pheasant flew over the walls and began to peck at the ogres’
heads. They all tried to hit the pheasant with their clubs, but he was quick and dodged all their blows.
And while the ogres weren’t looking, the monkey slipped up and opened the gate of the fort. Then
Momotaro and the spotted dog rushed into the fort and started fighting the ogres too. It was a huge
battle! The pheasant pecked at the heads and eyes of the wicked ogres. And the monkey clawed them.
And the spotted dog bit them. And Momotaro cut them with his sword. At last the ogres we’re defeated.
They all bowed down low before Momotaro and promised never to be wicked again. Then they brought
Momotaro all the treasure they had collected in their siege of the island.
 It was a great treasure, with gold, and silver, and colored jewels. There was an invisible coat and hat,
and a hammer that made a piece of gold every time you hit the ground, and many other wonderful
things. Momotaro and his three friends carried all this in their boat back to their own land. Then they
made a cart and put all the treasure in the cart and pulled it all the way to Momotaro’s house. How
surprised the old man and his wife were when they saw their son come home safely! With all the
treasure Momotaro brought they were very rich, and they all lived happily ever after.
THEMES
 Courage and Heroism: Momotaro displays great bravery in deciding to confront the ogres on
Demon Island, even though the task is dangerous. His determination to protect his people and fight
for what’s right is central to his character.
 Friendship and Cooperation: The animals—dog, monkey, and pheasant—start off as rivals but
form a strong alliance under Momotaro's leadership. Their cooperation, despite their initial
differences, plays a crucial role in their success.
 Generosity and Gratitude: Momotaro’s act of sharing his Kibi Dango with the dog, monkey, and
pheasant not only earns their loyalty but also exemplifies the importance of kindness and the
rewards that come from helping others.
 Good vs. Evil: The battle between Momotaro and the ogres represents the classic theme of good
versus evil. The ogres, who are wicked and cause harm, are defeated by Momotaro and his
friends, restoring peace and justice.