A Japanese folk tale - Kaguya-hime

Once upon a time, in a small village, there was a kind old man and his wife. They were very poor but were happy. Everyday, the old man went to the mountains to cut bamboo.

One day, while cutting bamboo, the old man saw a shining bamboo. He cut open the bamboo and inside these was a beautiful girl. The old man and his wife were very surprised but delighted. They named her "Kaguya-hime" and raised her as their own daughter.

Kaguya-hime grew up quickly and became a beautiful young woman. Many men came to ask for her hand in marriage, but she turned them all away. Kaguya-hime told her parents that she wasn't from this world and that she must return to the Moon.

The old man and his wife were very sad, but they understood. One night, a group of moon people came down on a bright, shining chariot to take Kaguya-hime back.

Kaguya-hime said goodbye to her parents and gave them a letter and a small bottle of elixir. She told them to remember her and promised to watch over them from the moon.

The old man and his wife watched as Kaguya-hime went up to the sky, becoming a beautiful light in the sky.

Posted for Miki