～詳細版：海の中の不思議な世界～
Long, long ago, in a small fishing village by the sea, there lived a young man named Urashima Taro.
Taro was known throughout the village for his kindness and gentle heart.
Every morning, he would wake up early and prepare his fishing boat and nets.
Taro walked to the beautiful sandy beach where his boat was waiting.
The morning sun sparkled on the calm blue water. Seabirds flew overhead, calling to each other.
As he prepared his fishing nets, he heard some noise coming from the rocks near the shore.
Taro walked toward the rocks and discovered a group of children.
They had found a large sea turtle and were poking it with sticks, laughing loudly.
The poor turtle was trying to return to the water, but the children kept blocking its path.
"Children, please don't hurt this turtle," Taro said kindly. "It's a living creature, just like us."
The children looked up at Taro. He knelt down to their level and spoke gently.
"How would you feel if someone much bigger than you treated you this way?"
The children looked at each other, then at the turtle. They began to understand.
"We're sorry, Mr. Taro," said the youngest child. "We didn't mean to hurt it."
The children stepped back and watched as the turtle slowly moved toward the water.
Taro gently picked up the large turtle. It was heavier than he expected.
He carried it carefully to the water's edge and placed it gently in the shallow waves.
The turtle looked up at Taro with its wise, old eyes before swimming away.
As Taro watched, something amazing happened. The turtle turned around and swam back to him.
It lifted its head above the water and, to Taro's amazement, began to speak!
"Thank you, kind young man, for saving my life," said the turtle in a gentle voice.
"I am actually a servant of the Dragon King who rules the sea," explained the turtle.
"My master would like to meet you and thank you personally for your kindness."
"Would you come with me to the Dragon Palace under the sea?"
"I would be honored to meet the Dragon King," Taro replied with a bow.
The turtle swam closer to the shore. "Please climb on my back," it said.
Taro carefully stepped onto the turtle's large, strong shell.
The turtle began to dive deeper and deeper into the blue ocean.
To Taro's amazement, he found he could breathe perfectly underwater!
Beautiful fish of every color swam around them, and coral gardens sparkled in the deep.
Soon they arrived at the most magnificent palace Taro had ever imagined.
It was made of coral and pearls, with towers that spiraled toward the surface.
Fish of gold and silver swam in and out of the palace windows like living decorations.
Inside the palace, Taro met the Dragon King and his beautiful daughter, Princess Otohime.
"Welcome, kind Urashima Taro," said the Dragon King. "You have shown great compassion today."
"Please, stay with us and enjoy the wonders of our undersea kingdom."
Taro spent his first day in the Dragon Palace amazed by its wonders.
Princess Otohime showed him gardens of sea anemones and singing whales.
The food was more delicious than anything he had ever tasted.
As days passed, Taro and Princess Otohime became close friends.
She taught him about the sea creatures and the mysteries of the ocean.
Taro shared stories of his village and the life of fishermen.
One day, as Taro watched the sunset through the water, he felt a pang in his heart.
He realized he missed his village, his family, and his simple fishing boat.
Though the palace was beautiful, he longed for his home.
"I understand, dear Taro," said Princess Otohime sadly but kindly.
"Home is always in one's heart. Though I will miss you, you must follow your heart."
"I have a gift for you before you leave," she said, producing a beautiful lacquered box.
"This is called Tamatebako," the Princess explained.
"But you must promise me one thing - never, ever open this box."
"If you open it, something terrible will happen, and you can never return here."
The same kind turtle carried Taro back to the surface.
As they rose through the blue water, Taro clutched the mysterious box carefully.
Soon, he could see the sunlight sparkling on the waves above.
Taro stepped onto the familiar beach, but something was wrong.
The village looked completely different! The houses were different, the people were strangers.
An old man approached him. "Young man, this village hasn't had anyone named Urashima Taro for over 300 years!"
The old man explained, "Urashima Taro was a legend from long ago. They say he saved a turtle and disappeared into the sea."
Taro realized that time moved differently in the Dragon Palace.
What felt like days underwater had been centuries on land!
Taro sat alone on the beach, feeling lost and lonely.
Everyone he had ever known was gone. His old life had disappeared.
In his hands, he still held the mysterious Tamatebako box from Princess Otohime.
Even in his loneliness and confusion, Taro kept his promise to Princess Otohime.
He never opened the Tamatebako box, proving his honor and trustworthiness.
Because of his faithfulness, Princess Otohime appeared on the beach before him.
"You are truly a man of your word," she said with tears of joy. "Come back to the Dragon Palace with me, and live there forever as my husband."
Congratulations! You completed Urashima Taro's extended adventure with the perfect ending!
Overcome by loneliness and desperation, Taro broke his promise and opened the Tamatebako.
White smoke poured out of the box, and suddenly Taro aged 300 years in an instant!
He became an ancient old man, his hair white as snow, his back bent with age.
The box had contained all the years he should have lived while in the Dragon Palace.
He realized too late that keeping promises is more important than temporary relief from sadness.
Remember: Always keep your promises, even when it's difficult!
🚫 Oops! That choice doesn't match the real Urashima Taro story.
In the traditional story, Urashima Taro is kind, honest, and keeps his promises.
Try again and choose the answer that shows kindness and honesty!