Momotaro, the Peach Boy

In Japan, an old woman was washing clothes in the river when a huge peach came floating by. She took it home and, opening it, found a smiling baby inside! They named him Momotaro, «the peach boy».

Momotaro grew strong and kind. One day he decided to help his village, from which some mischievous ogres kept stealing food.

Along the way he made friends with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, who joined him when he shared his little rice balls with them.

Together, with cleverness and without too much fighting, they convinced the ogres to give back what they had taken and to behave.

Momotaro returned home with his friends, and the village celebrated with a big feast. Friendship had been his greatest strength.