Momotaro

Once upon a time, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman. One day, while the old woman was washing clothes in the river, a big peach came bobbing, bobbing down the stream. She took the peach home and cut it open, and out came a healthy baby boy. The old man and old woman named the child “Momotaro” and raised him with great care.

💬 A Big Peach Comes Bobbing Along

🤔 It would be surprising if a big peach came floating by! How do you think you would feel if a baby came out of the peach?

Momotaro grew bigger and stronger. One day, he heard that the people in the village were troubled by ogres. Momotaro said, “I will go help everyone,” and set out with the millet dumplings the old woman had made. When he shared the millet dumplings with a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant he met along the road, they all became Momotaro’s friends.

💬 He Made Friends with Millet Dumplings

🤔 Momotaro shared his millet dumplings. How do you feel when you share with your friends?

Momotaro, the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant got on a boat and headed for Ogre Island. Across the sea, they began to see the island where the ogres lived. Momotaro felt a little nervous, but his friends were with him. If everyone works together, everything will surely be all right.

💬 Off to Ogre Island!

🤔 Momotaro and his friends feel a little nervous. When you feel scared or worried, does being with someone help you feel safe?

Momotaro and his friends said to the ogres, “You must not take things from others or trouble everyone.” The ogres said, “We are sorry,” and returned the things they had taken from the village. Momotaro and his friends brought the treasure back to the village, and everyone was very happy.

💬 Let’s Work Together and Go Back to the Village

🤔 Momotaro and his friends worked together to help the people in the village. If someone is in trouble, how could you help them?