The Japanese fairy book . take it up in her old woman was delighted. She could not go on with herwork, so happy and excited was she, so she put all the clothesback in her bamboo basket, and with the basket on her backand the peach in her hand she hurried homewards. It seemed a very long time to her to wait till her husbandreturned. The old man at last came back as the sun wassetting, with a big bundle of grass on his back—so big that hewas almost hidden and she could hardly see him. He seemedvery tired and used the scythe for a walking stick, leaning on itas he walked along. As soon
The Japanese fairy book . take it up in her old woman was delighted. She could not go on with herwork, so happy and excited was she, so she put all the clothesback in her bamboo basket, and with the basket on her backand the peach in her hand she hurried homewards. It seemed a very long time to her to wait till her husbandreturned. The old man at last came back as the sun wassetting, with a big bundle of grass on his back—so big that hewas almost hidden and she could hardly see him. He seemedvery tired and used the scythe for a walking stick, leaning on itas he walked along. As soon as the old woman saw him she called out: 0 xiiSan! (old man) I have been waiting for you to comehome for such a long time to-day ! What is the matter ? Why are you so impatient? askedthe old man, wondering at her unusual eagerness. Hasanything happened while I have been away ? Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach. 247 Oh, no! answered the old woman, nothing hashappened, only I have found a nice present for you !. The Peach split in Two of itself. That is good, said the old man. He then washed hisfeet in a basin of water and stepped up to the verandah. The old woman now ran into the little room and brought 248 Japanese Fairy -Book. out from the cupboard the big peach. It felt even heavierthan before. She held it up to him, saying: Just look at this ! Did you ever see such a large peachin all your life ? When the old man looked at the peach he was greatlyastonished and said : This is indeed the largest peach I have ever seen!Wherever did you buy it ? I did not buy it, answered the old woman. I found itin the river where I was washing. And she told him the wholestory. I am very glad that you have found it. Let us eat itnow, for I am hungry, said the O Jii San. He brought out the kitchen knife, and, placing the peachon a board, was about to cut it when, wonderful to tell, thepeach split in two of itself and a clear voice said : Wait a bit, old man! and out stepped a beaut
Size: 1615px × 1547px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1903
