far and never return.

His parents knew, however, that he understood his boat and the sea
very well, and they were never much concerned about him. Even when
he failed to come back as soon as he was expected, they awaited his
return without anxiety. They loved him better than their own lives,
and were proud that he was braver and stronger than their neighbors'
sons.

Early one morning, Uraschima Taro went to haul in his nets, which had
been set the night before. In one of them, among some fishes, he found
a small turtle. This he placed in the boat, by itself, where it would
safely keep, until he could take it home. To his amazement, the turtle
begged for its life in most pitiful tones. "Of what use am I to you?"
it asked. "I am too small to eat, and so young that it will take me a
long time to grow. Have mercy and put me back into the sea, for I do
not want to die." Uraschima Taro had a very kind heart and could not
bear to see anything that was small and helpless suffer; so he did as
the turtle asked him.

Several years after this, when Uraschima Taro was one day far out at
sea, a terrible whirlwind struck his boat and shattered it. He was a
good swimmer, and managed for a long time to make progress toward the
land; but as he was so far from shore in the rough sea, his strength
at last gave out and he felt himself sinking. Just as he had given up
hope, and thought that he would never see his dear parents again, he
heard his name called and saw a large turtle swimming toward him.

"Climb on my back," shouted the turtle, "and I will carry you to
land." When Uraschima Taro was safely sitting on the turtle's back it
continued: "I am the turtle whose life you saved when you found me,
little and helpless, in your net, and I am glad of this opportunity to
show that I am not ungrateful."

Before they reached the shore, the turtle asked Uraschima Taro how he
would like to be shown some of the wonderful beauties hidden under the
sea. The young fisherman replied that the experience would please him.
In a moment they were shooting down through the green water. He clung
to the turtle's back, who carried him many, many fathoms below.
After three nights they reached the bottom of the sea, and came to a
wonderful palace of gold and crystal. Coral and pearls and precious
stones dazzled his eyes; but inside, the palace was more beautiful
still, and blazing fish scales lighted it.

"This," said the turtle, "is the palace of the se