Issun BoshiOnce long ago in Japan there (1) a couple who had no children. They prayed
to the gods for a child, even one as small as a finger, and (2)
their prayers were
answered. The child born to them was so small that they named him Issun Boshi, 'Little
One Inch'. When Issun Boshi reached the age of 15, he said (3) to his parents and
set out for Kyoto, the capital city, to seek his fortune.
In Kyoto he found employment in a wealthy household. He could not do much work
because of his size, but his (4) and sincerity pleased his master and his (5)
And their daughter found him delightful.
One day Issun Boshi accompanied the girl to the temple. On the way, two giants
leaped out in front of them from behind some bushes.
Issun Boshi (6) drew their attention to him so that the girl could escape. But
then the giants were furious with him and one of them picked him up and swallowed him.
Issun Boshi had a needle his mother had given him. He used to wear it around his
waist like a sword. When he found himself in the giant's stomach he took out the needle
from its scabbard and began to stab the giant's stomach with it. Then climbing out through
the gullet he stormed into the giant's mouth where he wreaked havoc with his needle
The giant was frightened and spat him out.
When the other giant (7) to look at him, Issun Boshi stabbed him in the eye
The giants had enough. They ran away, one holding a hand to his mouth and the other to
his eye.
In their haste they left behind a mallet which Issun Boshi and the girl - she had
come back to help him - (8) as a magical object
"You have to hit it on the ground and make a wish," said the girl
So they hit the mallet on the ground and made a wish. The next (9).
Issun
Boshi had grown to normal size and stood clad in the armour of a samurail​