His life passed by, and each hour seemed happier than the last,
when one day there rushed over him a terrible longing to see his
parents. He fought against it hard, knowing how it would grieve
the princess, but it grew on him stronger and stronger, till at
length he became so sad that the princess inquired what was
wrong. Then he told her of the longing he had to visit his old
home, and that he must see his parents once more. The princess
was almost frozen with horror, and implored him to stay with her,
or something dreadful would be sure to happen. 'You will never
come back, and we shall meet again no more,' she moaned bitterly.
But Uraschimataro stood firm and repeated, 'Only this once will I
leave you, and then will I return to your side for ever.' Sadly
the princess shook her head, but she answered slowly, 'One way
there is to bring you safely back, but I fear you will never
agree to the conditions of the bargain.'

'I will do anything that will bring me back to you,' exclaimed
Uraschimataro, looking at her tenderly, but the princess was
silent: she knew too well that when he left her she would see his
face no more. Then she took from a shelf a tiny golden box, and
gave it to Uraschimataro, praying him to keep it carefully, and
above all things never to open it. 'If you can do this,' she said
as she bade him farewell, 'your friend the turtle will meet you
at the shore, and will carry you back to me.'

Uraschimataro thanked her from his heart, and swore solemnly to
do her bidding. He hid the box safely in his garments, seated
himself on the back of the turtle, and vanished in the ocean
path, waving his hand to the princess. Three days and three
nights they swam through the sea, and at length Uraschimataro