A long, long time ago there lived an old man and an old woman. One day, the old man went into the mountains to cut firewood and the old woman went to the river to do her wash.
While the old woman washed her clothes, a huge peach came bobbing down the river. The old woman was surprised. She decided to take the peach home. In the evening, the old man returned from the mountains.
Seeing this peach, the old man exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, what a huge peach!"
As the old woman was just about to cut open the peach, it split in half. Out came a little boy. Because he was born from a peach, The happy old couple decided to name this little boy "Momotaro". Momotaro grew to become a strong lad.
One day, Momotaro heard a rumor about a mean ogre who stole things from people. After hearing this, Momotaro said to the old man and the old woman, "I will go to Ogre Island to conquer that Ogre. Will you please make me some dumplings?" The old couple made Momotaro the dumplings to give him strength. With these dumplings and a sword, Momotaro left on his journey. • As Momotaro walked for a while, he was approached by a dog.
"Mr. Momotaro, may I please have one of your dumplings?" asked the dog. Momotaro replied, "I will give you one of my dumplings if you'll promise to come with me to conquer the Ogre." The dog took a dumpling and became Momotaro's servant. As they walked along, they happened to meet a monkey. "Mr. Momotaro, may I please have one of your dumplings?" asked the monkey. With the same reply, the monkey also took a dumpling and became Momotaro's servant.
Momotaro, the dog, and the monkey continued on their journey. This time they happened to meet a pheasant. "Mr. Momotaro, may I please have one of your dumplings?" also asked the pheasant. Like the others, the pheasant took a dumpling and became Momotaro's servant. Momotaro and his servants walked along until they reached the sea. There, they borrowed a boat and sailed for Ogre Island.
After a few days, they finally reached Ogre Island. At the island, a strong gate guarded the palace. First, the pheasant flew over the gate to look around. Then, the monkey climbed over the wall and opened the gate from the inside. Momotaro and the dog charged into the palace. As they entered, the ogre ran toward them with an iron club. The dog bit the ogre's leg. The monkey scratched the ogre's face. The pheasant picked at the ogre's eyes. Finally, the ogre surrendered. • "Mr Momotaro, I will never do anything bad again. Please forgive me," pleaded the ogre. Momotaro forgave the ogre and they became friends.
Momotaro, the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant left for home with a lot of treasures. When they reached home, they returned the stolen treasures to their rightful owners. With the remaining treasures, the old man, the old woman and Momotaro lived happily ever after.
