As the years passed, the boy from the peach grew strong and kind-hearted. The old couple named him Momotarō—Peach Boy.
He helped with chores, played with the village children, and amazed everyone with his strength and courage. Before long, he had become a young man—brave, polite, and full of energy.
One day, Momotarō heard villagers talking about a distant island where fearsome ogres, or oni, had been causing trouble—stealing treasures and frightening people.
Determined to help, he stood up and said, “I’ll go to the island. I’ll defeat the oni and bring peace to everyone.”
The old couple packed some special millet dumplings—kibi dango—to give him strength on his journey.
And so, with courage in his heart and dumplings in his bag, Momotarō set off on his adventure.