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Updated: June 16, 2025
"Now, don't quarrel!" said Momotaro, putting himself between them. "Wait a moment, dog!" "It is not at all dignified for you to have such a creature as that following you!" said the dog. "What do you know about it?" asked Momotaro; and pushing aside the dog, he spoke to the monkey: "Who are you?" "I am a monkey living in these hills," replied the monkey.
Oh how beautiful it looked with its branches of red coral, and shining heaps of gold and silver, and the invisible coat and hat, the dazzling sheen of the jewels of the ebbing and the flowing tide, the glistening pearls, and piles of agate and crystal. Momotaro came home laden with riches enough to keep the old couple in comfort all their lives, and he himself lived in great state.
Momotaro only laughed scornfully: "What is that you are saying? Do you know who I am? I am Momotaro, and I am on my way to subdue the devils in their island stronghold in the northeast of Japan. If you try to stop me on my way there I will cut you in two from the head downwards!" The dog's manner at once changed.
At first their foe had been a single bird, the pheasant, but now that Momotaro and the dog and the monkey had arrived they were bewildered, for the four enemies fought like a hundred, so strong were they. Some of the devils fell off the parapet of the castle and were dashed to pieces on the rocks beneath; others fell into the sea and were drowned; many were beaten to death by the three animals.
One day Momotaro came to his foster-father and said solemnly: "Father, by a strange chance we have become father and son. Your goodness to me has been higher than the mountain grasses which it was your daily work to cut, and deeper than the river where my mother washes the clothes. I do not know how to thank you enough."
In great fright and misery the ogre tried to run out of the room, but down came the millstone with a crash on his head and killed him at once. So, without any trouble to himself, and by the help of the faithful friends which his kindness had made for him, Momotaro gained possession of the ogre's wealth, and his fortune was made.
Momotaro soon saw that they were daunted by the sight of the sea, and to try them he spoke loudly and roughly: "Why do you hesitate? Are you afraid of the sea? Oh! what cowards you are! It is impossible to take such weak creatures as you with me to fight the demons. It will be far better for me to go alone. I discharge you all at once!"
They had now gained a little courage, so Momotaro said: "Well, then, I will take you with me, but be careful!" Momotaro now got a small ship, and they all got on board. The wind and weather were fair, and the ship went like an arrow over the sea.
The two poor damsels, daughters of Daimios, and others whom the wicked demon had carried off to be his slaves, were taken safely to their own homes and delivered to their parents. The whole country made a hero of Momotaro on his triumphant return, and rejoiced that the country was now freed from the robber devils who had been a terror of the land for a long time.
"I heard of your expedition to the Island of Devils, and I have come to go with you. Nothing will please me more than to follow you!" "Do you really wish to go to the Island of Devils and fight with me?" "Yes, sir," replied the monkey. "I admire your courage," said Momotaro. "Here is a piece of one of my fine rice-cakes. Come along!" So the monkey joined Momotaro.
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