Urashima Taro - A Japanese Fairy Tale with Morals and Illustrations

Brief Description: Urashima Taro is the story of a kind fisherman who saved a turtle and found himself in a magical underwater kingdom. He learned how quickly time passes and realized that even the most beautiful moments must be cherished. The tale teaches kindness, respect for time, and responsibility for one’s decisions.

In a small fishing village lived a young man named Urashima Taro. He was known for his kindness and respect for nature. One day, while returning home, he saw a group of children tormenting a small turtle. Taro stopped them, bought the turtle back, and released it into the sea. "Swim," he said. "And live long and happily."

The next day, when Urashima went fishing, a large turtle appeared before him. It spoke in a human voice and said, "I am the very turtle you saved. As a token of my gratitude, I want to show you the underwater kingdom. This is a place no human has ever seen."

The turtle took him to an underwater palace, where he was greeted by Princess Otohime. She thanked Taro for his kindness and invited him to stay as a guest in her palace. Urashima was amazed by the beauty of the palace: pearl walls, coral gardens, and the sounds of underwater music. He enjoyed days filled with fun, delicious food, and extraordinary discoveries.

But soon Taro began to feel homesick. He wanted to return to the village to see his family. The princess, although saddened that he wished to leave the palace, respected his decision. As a farewell gift, she gave him a beautiful box. "This box contains magic that will protect you," she said. "But you must not open it. This is important."

When Urashima returned to the shore, he did not recognize his village. Everything had changed: the houses were different, and the people were strangers. Eventually, he learned that not a few days, but hundreds of years had passed. Realizing that everyone he loved had long since passed away, Urashima was overcome with despair. He remembered the box and thought it might help restore everything.

When he opened the box, thick smoke poured out. It was the magic of time that had previously protected him from aging. Now, with the spell broken, time caught up with Taro. He aged instantly, his body weakened, and he understood that it was impossible to bring back what had been lost.

Moral of the Story:

The tale teaches that time is a valuable resource that cannot be reclaimed. One must cherish the moment they are living in and be cautious with promises and decisions.

Questions for Discussion:

• Why did the turtle want to thank Urashima Taro?
• What did Taro particularly enjoy in the underwater kingdom?
• Why was he not allowed to open the box, and what happened when Taro broke the rule?