As both the
old people took good care of him, he grew and became strong and
enterprising. So the old couple had their expectations raised, and
bestowed still more care on his education.
Momotaro finding that he excelled everybody in strength, determined
to cross over to the island of the devils, take their riches, and come
back. He at once consulted with the old man and the old woman about
the matter, and got them to make him some dumplings. These he put
in his pouch. Besides this he made every kind of preparation for his
journey to the island of the devils and set out.
Then first a dog came to the side of the way and said, "Momotaro! What
have you there hanging at your belt?" He replied, "I have some of the
very best Japanese millet dumplings." "Give me one and I will go with
you," said the dog. So Momotaro took a dumpling out of his pouch and
gave it to the dog. Then a monkey came and got one the same way. A
pheasant also came flying and said, "Give me a dumpling too, and I
will go along with you." So all three went along with him. In no time
they arrived at the island of the devils, and at once broke through
the front gate; Momotaro first; then his three followers.
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