34 TARO AND THE TURTLE

Taro was a fisherman who lived long, long ago. He was young and strong, and he could catch more fish than anybody else.

He was very kind, too. In all his life he never had teased or hurt anything.

One time when Taro had been fishing all day, he was very tired and hungry. He was going home to eat and rest.

On his way he saw some boys who had caught a turtle and were teasing it.

Taro felt so sorry for the turtle that he gave the boys some money, and they gave him the turtle. Then Taro talked kindly to the boys until they promised him not to tease animals again.

Taro stroked the turtle's back. “Poor thing! ”he said, “I will take you to your home in the sea. I have heard that a turtle can live a thousand years. Do not let anyone catch you again. Then you will live a thousand years.”

So Taro put the turtle into the water and went home, for he was tired.

The next morning Taro got up early and went out in his boat to fish. The sky and the sea were very blue, and the air was soft and warm.

Taro went on and on in his little boat. He passed all the other boats and went far, far out on the sea.

“Oh, I am so happy! ”he said, “I wish I could live a thousand years, like the turtle.”

All at once Taro heard someone calling him. “Taro! Taro! Taro! ”called the voice. The voice was as clear as a bell.

Taro stood up in his boat and looked out over the water, but he could see no boats.

“Who is calling me? ”he asked.

“I am calling you, Taro, ”said a clear, soft voice, “I have come to thank you for saving my life.”

There, by the side of the boat, was the turtle that Taro had put back into the water.

“Will you come with me, Taro? ”said the turtle, “I will take you to my home. It is in the Sea-King's palace at the bottom of the sea. It is always summer there.”

“I am strong, ”said Taro, “but I cannot swim so far.”

“Get on my back.”said the turtle.

“Oh, you are too small, ”said Taro, “You cannot carry me. I am very sorry that I cannot go. I should like to see the sea king's palace, and the land of summer.”

Taro looked sadly at the turtle. But what did he see? The turtle was getting bigger and bigger! It grew bigger than Taro!

“Now I am not too small.”said the turtle.

Taro got on its back. Down they went into the sea, through the clear water.

At last they saw a great gate and behind it the Sea-King's palace. All around it was the land of summer, where birds sang and flowers bloomed.

Taro and the turtle went up to the great gate. A gatekeeper stood there. He was a fish, and all his helpers were fishes.

“This is Taro, ”said the turtle. Then all at once the turtle was gone.

“Come with us, Taro, ”said the gatekeeper, “We know where to take you.”

The gate opened, and Taro and the fishes went into the Sea-King's palace.

They took him to a beautiful princess. Her dress was green, like the water, and her voice was as clear as a bell.

“Come here, Taro, ”she said, “I am the Sea-King's child. Yesterday you saved my life. Here in the land of summer I am a princess. When I go to your land I change to a turtle. I was the turtle you saved.

“This morning I heard you wish you could live a thousand years. Come and live with me. I will share everything with you.”

So Taro and the princess lived a thousand years in the land of summer, under the sea.

(Japanese Tale)

Word list

tease: to annoy and make fun of

stroke: to touch gently

palace: a castle

You Practice

A) Answer the following questions.

1) What job did Taro have?

2) Was Taro good at his job? Why or why not?

3) What did Taro see on his way home?

4) Why did Taro give money to the boys?

5) Why was the turtle calling Taro?

6) What surprise does Taro get when he visits the sea king's palace?

B) Beginning, middle, and end—Draw a picture from the beginning, middle, and end of Taro and the Turtle.

1) Beginning:

2) Middle:

3) End:

C) True or false? Read these sentences carefully. Write true or false for each one.

1) _____ Taro teased the turtle.

2) _____ Taro was very kind to the turtle.

3) _____ Taro lived for a hundred years.

4) _____ Taro was a farmer.

5) _____ Taro and the princess lived in the land of summer.