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The Sea Turtle version of Sirotan has a reference to the Japanese lengend about the turtle. I found two versions of the story, both about a man who saves a turtle and then leads a life of riches as his reward. The references made in the description of the Sirotan Turtle disguise are Urashima, who is the man with his full name being Urashima Toro, and Ryuuguujou, which is the Palace of the Dragon King where he is rewarded with a luckly life full of riches.
The two versions vary with the way he saves the turtle, the roles of some of the other characters, and the endings.
Urashima stretched the best he could on his small boat; his shoulders ached from the labor of pulling the crab baskets up all day. The catch today wasn't the worst he had seen, but he wasn't going to be a rich man from the haul. He was confident it would take care of his parents, though--and help the rest of the village.
"One last basket," he said out loud to get himself moving. On days like this, he wished he had a wife to massage his shoulders when he returned home. He wasn't the most handsome of men, nor was he the richest. His father was lame from a fishing accident and his mother did the best she could. However, in a small village, he found no one to be his.
Immediately, he knew something was wrong with the net. The weight was far too great, unless this was greatest catch of crabs ever! He knew something was fouled in the net--a rock, seaweed still attached to the bottom, something. Urashima was nothing if not strong, and with a final great heave, he pulled the net and all its contents over the side. The boat tilted slightly under the sudden weight and then righted as the contents settled on the deck.
Urashima was amazed! He had caught a tortoise! A beautiful, large tortoise!
Wait.
Urashima wasn't the most brilliant of men, but he was never called stupid or foolish. He was in the middle of the sea. This was a tortoise. Something didn't quite fit.
The large creature's shell glistened as the lowering sun danced off seawater beading along the shell's ridges and gullies. As Urashima looked closer, he saw that the dance of light was also caused by the fantastic colors of the shell. The creature carried a home that looked closer to mother-of-pearl than tortoise shell, yet the design and shape was that of a regular tortoise.
The price this shell would fetch! A five color tortoise shell! His family would never again be hungry or want for anything! His parents would never have worries again, nor would he. Lords would pay a premium for items made from this beautiful artifact.
Urashima watched the tortoise struggling within the net. It truly was a magnificent creature; not normal by any means. He opened the net and grabbed the creature by the shell as a few crabs scuttled away on the deck.
With one clean jerk, he picked up the tortoise and swung it. He was rewarded with a splash of seawater in his face as the creature plunged into the ocean. I have accepted my fate and who I am, Urashima thought. If I hadn't found this creature I wouldn't be rich, so there is no real loss in releasing it. His death for my gain doesn't seem fair. I'm a crab fisherman, not a tortoise hunter.
Urashima decided not to tell anyone of what he saw. This was a secret for himself; a good deed he could console himself with on cold nights.
Urashima set a course for home.
* * * "This doesn't look good," Urashima said to himself. He was in the habit of making statements like this while at sea, even though there was no one to hear.
He saw a large amount of debris floating near a submerged reef. After he returned home the night before, a storm came up and kept all the ships in port for a day. Urashima was afraid someone may have run their boat into the reef and the ship broke apart.
He cast his eyes out over the water, squinting from the morning glare bouncing off the glassy surface of the ocean. Urashima thought he saw something bigger than just driftwood and steered his craft that way.
"There's someone there! I wonder if they survived?"
A body lay on top of a large piece of wood, a body with a very feminine shape.
Very feminine, indeed, Urashima thought. She had long, dark hair and wore some sort of green wrap he wasn't familiar with. He prayed she wasn't dead, but he didn't have much hope. Pulling the ship as close to her, gently as he could, he reached over and scooped her up. She was light as a feather to a fisherman like Urashima.
She moaned lightly as he lay her on the deck. She's alive!
He grabbed a cup and filled it with water, placing it to her lips he gently poured it in. Urashima truly thought it was the proper thing to do in this situation. Of course, the woman might disagree. She began coughing and choking on the sudden liquid in her throats. Urashima stopped immediately.
She sat up and looked around, now coughing demurely. She was beautiful! Her skin had a light almond hue. Her eyes sparkled a special emerald that only a mariner could recognize, Urashima thought.
"Where am I?"
"You're on my boat. My name is Urashima; I'm a fisherman. I pulled you out of the sea."
Urashima berated himself in his thoughts. Not exactly the most suave thing to say, but he fished for crabs, he wasn't a poet.
"Then I owe you a great deal! But..."
"But, what?"
"I'm so far from home. Please, great fisherman, could you take me to my home?"
"Where do you live?"
"I live far east from here on a small island. If you follow where the sun sets for three days and follow the brightest star for one night, you'll find my home."
"That's a week journey round trip! I don't know if this old boat could handle such a thing. And my home! My family and friends would be so worried. We should head back and find a larger ship."
"Please, I must hurry home! And, I wish for only you to take me."
Just me? That's odd, Urashima thought. He had heard that there were some peoples that lived on small islands in the sea, perhaps she wanted to protect her home. Still, its so far.
"I'll make sure you are rewarded!"
"I need no reward, this is just a difficult decision."
"Of course," she said sounding so sad--like tears would start to pour at any moment.
"Oh, please, don't be sad!" Urashima said; he wasn't very comfortable around women. "Of course I'll take you. I'm just worried about your safety."
"I'm sure with your abilities, I'll be fine," she said smiling, yet shyly.
Urashima couldn't figure her out. She also never offered her name, and he thought it to rude to ask. So, instead, he simply began the journey.
Urashima followed her directions for three days until he reached a fog bank so deep he couldn't see the waves breaking on the bow. The sea was furious, yet the mist was so steady! Urashima had never seen anything like it, and he was afraid.
"My lady, should we turn back? I fear I am placing you in more danger."
"No, please let us continue on. I am nearly home."
Against his better judgement, Urashima continued on. He did make a promise after all, and no one had accused him of being smart. Yet, surprisingly, the seas did calm--suddenly and totally, but the mist did not abate. Urashima asked if there were any reefs or rocks near, but she assured him the passage would be safe.
The sudden brightness startled Urashima. The mist ended as if he had walked in from a dark room to lit one. The seas were beautiful, and the skies were a light and peaceful blue. Urashima looked behind him and saw a wall of mist towering above, reaching off seeming to circle the island before him.
Urashima was trying to ignore the island. Two impossibly large doors stood in what seemed to be a channel through the impenetrable mountains. The island didn't seem to be too large, but the mountains ringing it reached as high as any he had seen.
He was more afraid now than ever. Whoever lived here was very, very powerful!
As Urashima sailed towards the doors, the parted slowly, the large waves they created gently rolled his boat back and forth. As he passed the doors, his boat seemingly began to sail itself! The tiller had a mind of its own, and, even though the wind had disappeared, they moved as quickly as before. Urashima was sure there were magical forces at work in this place!
The boat brought itself to a dock, that led to a street, that led to a town made of white marble, that led to a palace made of Jade. Urashima was distraught! Should he even be here?
He followed the woman into the beautiful palace, past two guards that stood still as stone. The first two people he had seen here. They stood before two large doors that opened as she waved her hand in the air. Urashima swallowed hard and looked in. Hundreds of people stood in a grand ballroom or throne room, but the path to the powerful figure seated at the front was clear.
Ryujin! The dragon king of the sea! Urashima fell to his knees. It must be Ryujin, Urashima tried to think of someway to save his life.
"Please, Urashima, stand and follow me," said the woman in a kind voice.
She knew his name? Somehow, her voice gave him strength. He stood and followed, but kept his eyes averted from the figure seated before him.
"Father, I have returned home!"
"Otohime, we have seen your ship from afar. We are thankful and rejoice for your safe return! We ask that you do not again depart from our home."
Urashima was amazed! Not simply because that he was standing before a god, and not because the woman he had been with for three days was a princess, but because--even in its formality--the words Lord Ryujin spoke to his daughter clearly carried his love and worry. Could this fearsome figure be so caring?
"I've missed you, too, father," she turned to the crowd, "I've missed all of you!"
A murmur of approval and happiness ran through the assembly.
"And you, Urashima..."
Urashima quaked to his very spirit as the great lord spoke his name.
"For your honor and bravery allow us to welcome you."
"My lord...I don't feel very brave," Urashima said shakily. The crowd burst into laughter as did the king.
"We believe that it is Princess Otohime's desire that you should remain with us."
Urashima looked at the princess in shock. Really? She was no longer in the ocean soaked clothes he had found her in, but a five-colored wrap--colored exactly like the tortoise. She smiled as he thought this.
"My lord, I would wish nothing else, but my parents...they are unable to care for themselves, I cannot leave them behind."
"As it should be, a son's first thoughts should be of his parents, as a daughter's should be of her husband. Yet fear not, we promise your parents shall prosper in their late years and shall be watched over."
Tears poured down Urashima's face. Just the thought of his parents being cared for as they deserve...finally.
So, Urashima married Otohime and lived with her happily for three years.
However, his thoughts returned to his parents and he wish to see them again before they left this world. His homesickness began to consume him.
"Please, husband, I beg of you, do not leave. Stay here, this is your home. Nothing good can come of your journey," Otohime pleaded.
Urashima refused, although he loved his wife very much, he couldn't stand the thought of his parents being alone until death. Ryujin would not allow Otohime to leave with Urashima, even though he understood Urashima's desires. Most likely, Urashima would never find his way back to his wife.
So, the crab fisherman who became a prince left to return to his old home. It took him nearly a week to reach his home shore, but he was surprised--somehow the mountains of his home seemed different. The shape of the beach was not quite the same. He was amazed at the changes, but he was far more shocked when he arrived in town. The fashions were so different! There were so many more businesses and homes. When he arrived at his own dwelling, a cold shiver gripped his soul. Nothing but the foundation remained!
"What has happened here! Why has everything changed so?"
Urashima quickly returned to town and immediately went up to the first person he came across.
"Excuse me, may I ask you a question about this town?"
"Good morning! Of course, how may I help?"
"Have you heard of a fellow by the name of Urashima Taro and his family? I was looking for relatives of his."
"Urashima? I'm don't believe I know an Urashima here. Goto-san, have you heard of an Urashima?" said the young man, turning to a gentleman that had been heading in the same direction. "This gentleman is asking for someone by that name."
"He must be speaking of the legend," the gentleman replied.
"Oh! Did you mean the fisherman that supposedly went to live at the palace of the dragon king of the sea? The last people here holding that name passed away nearly 300 years ago. You can find their burial site near the sea at a place called Dragon Tooth Rock. Supposedly, a servant of the dragon king visited them one stormy night and told them of their son. He saved the king's daughter and had gone to live there forever. The servant gave them many riches, supposedly including the mirror the lord of this town holds. They hired many servants and their riches allowed this town to grow, but they lived happily alone until they passed away."
Urashima was in shock. He hadn't been gone three years but 300 years.
He stammered thanks to the young man and raced to the sea to visit the gravesite of his parents. Upon reaching Dragon Tooth Rock, he began to weep bitterly. He should have listened to his wife. He could feel the spirits of his parents--he felt as though they were disappointed in him for returning after he had found such happiness. All they ever wanted was a good life for him. Of course he knew they loved him, but they would never have wanted him to abandon his wife.
Urashima walked into the waves of the ocean and wept. He promised if ever given the chance, he would never abandon his duties or his promises. His happiness and the fortune that was brought to him and his parents came from him doing the right thing, but he had strayed from his own path.
Ryujin took great pity on his son-in-law, as did all the spirits watching him that day. He was a good man feeling great anguish. The king's own daughter felt great sadness over the loss of her husband.
Urashima was suddenly transformed into a beautiful white crane. He soared high into the sky and was led by the spirits to one of the mountains of everlasting life. Looking down, Urashima saw a brilliant flash of rainbow colors--the sun reflecting off the five-colored shell of a very special tortoise. And so, once more--and forever more--Urashima was with his princess.
Long ago there lived in a small fishing village by the southern shores of Japan a young fisherman named Urashima Taro. We will call him Taro in our story. One bright day while he was walking along the seashore with his fishing pole, Taro saw a group of children jumping and running about. All of the children seemed very excited. They were shouting with glee and seemed to be standing over some object lying on the beach. When Taro came nearer to the children, he saw that they were tormenting a little turtle. They threw stones at it, and then each one took his turn kicking the poor turtle.
Taro felt great sympathy for the unfortunate turtle. He turned to the children and said, "Please don't be cruel to the little turtle. You should be kind to animals. If you will set the turtle free, I will give each of you some money."
So Taro bought the turtle's freedom from the thoughtless children. Then he took it to the water's edge and set it free. Soon the turtle disappeared into the blue waves and in a moment Taro could see it no more.
After a few days Taro again went fishing by the seashore. He cast his line into the water and, as he did so, he was surprised to see a big turtle appear from out of the waves.
The huge turtle approached Taro and said, "Hello, Taro-san! Don't you remember me?"
Taro stared at the turtle, and to his great surprise he saw that it was the same turtle whose life he had saved by rescuing it from the naughty children a few days before. But now the turtle was very large and looked very old.
Smiling at Taro, the turtle continued, "Thank you very much for your kindness to me the other day. You rescued me from those bad children. I wish to reward you for your kindness. If you wish to go, I will take you to the Coral Palace. It is a beautiful palace in the middle of a kingdom down under the sea. Please get on my back, Taro. Then we will begin our journey."
Taro was delighted with the invitation from the turtle. He jumped on the hard-shell back, and they started for the Coral Palace.
Into the depths of the blue sea they plunged. It was the first time Taro had been so far under the water, and it was probably the first time anyone had lived to see the bottom of the ocean.
The bottom of the ocean was a beautiful sight to Taro. For a minute he just blinked his eyes, for he could not believe what he saw. Strange and pretty grasses and trees grew on the bottom of the sea. They swirled and waved with the gentle current of the water. Glistening red, blue, and yellow fish of all sizes and shapes swam everywhere. Schools of tiny fish played among the pink and blue coral. Funny little sea horses fled from the larger fish. The shining coral reflected glittering shafts of light in every direction. Everything was like a dream. It was most beautiful and quiet.
The turtle was a swift swimmer, and soon Taro saw the gates of the Coral Palace in the distance.
At the palace, the queen awaited Taro. The queen was named Otohime, and she was delicate and sweet- looking. Otohime wore a long, white robe, and on her head rested a golden crown sparkling with many diamonds and pearls. As she moved, her skirt, which was covered with hundreds of pink shells, swayed and gleamed in the water. Each shell was like a twinkling star.
Behind Otohime stood twenty maids in waiting. Each wore a different-colored dress, and in their hair they had interwoven green seaweed.
With a smile on her tender face, Otohime spoke in a soft voice to Taro. "Welcome, Taro-san! It was so kind of you to have rescued my loyal turtle. All the inhabitants of my kingdom wish to reward you by entertaining you in my Coral Palace. You will see many strange and wonderful things beneath the sea."
And then she beckoned and said, "Come with me, Taro. We will go into the palace."
Taro followed Otohime, and the charming queen led him through one splendid room after another. Finally they came to a huge room filled with beautiful furniture and treasures. In the center of the room was a great table and it was laden with golden plates, knives, forks, and spoons, crystal glasses, silver trays, and delicate china.
The food upon the table was the strangest and most inviting food Taro had ever seen. Taro had never tasted such delicious dishes, and he did not know any of the names of the strange delicacies.
Otohime was a generous and charming hostess, and she offered Taro one wonderful dish after another.
Then, when Taro could eat no more, he was delighted to see many beautiful fish dance into the banquet hall. They swam before the table where Taro sat with the queen, and after they bowed and shyly smiled at the guest, the fish began to dance to a lovely tune.
Tiny fish swayed, and sunfish tossed their tails. Thousands of gleaming bubbles rose above the dancers. Goldfish danced to a soft waltz, and shafts of light shone on their gleaming gilt scales. It almost looked as if many mirrors were dancing. Then gleaming codfish and trout moved in rhythm to the gay tunes of oysters who clacked their shells open and shut. Off to one side, five small fish danced over the keys of the golden piano. They made a delicate, tinkling tone bubble out. Beside them a sweet rainbow trout stroked the strings of a silver harp. And in the background a group of proud lobsters played their violins while a huge, fat lobster led the musicians. Taro laughed at the lobster leader, for he had thick glasses resting on the end of his nose, and he looked very funny as he conducted the orchestra.
Finally the feast and the entertainment were over. Otohime then showed Taro the treasures of the palace. She had so many treasures, too! She had more silver and gold and pearls than anyone on earth or under the sea.
Taro spent many days at the Coral Palace. Every day was a new experience which ended with a splendid feast and an evening of entertainment. For a while Taro even forgot his friends and parents at home above the sea.
But one day Taro felt a great longing for his own people. Taro did not wish the queen to think him ungrateful for her kindness, but he felt that he must tell her of his desire to return home. By then Taro was very homesick.
So the next time he saw the queen, Taro approached her and said, "Thank you very much for your kindness, little Queen Otohime. I have never spent such happy days before. I love your palace and all your little friends. But now I feel a longing to see my home again. I must say good-by."
Otohime was sorry to hear Taro speak these words. She cried bitterly to think of his leaving her kingdom, and all her little maidservants tried to persuade Taro to remain with them forever.
Taro did not wish to see the queen cry, but he would not change his mind.
The time came for Taro to leave. The big turtle prepared to carry Taro to the land above the sea, and he awaited him at the gates of the palace.
Otohime, brushing away tears like pearls from her eyes, said to Taro, "I am sorry you are leaving my palace, Taro. But I do not wish you to be unhappy. Do not forget me, even though you go back to your own country and people."
Then Otohime showed Taro a jewel-encrusted chest and said, "I wish to give you this as a token of farewell. It will bring great luck to you if you keep it. But one thing you must remember. You must never, never open it. Do not forget my words, Taro-san. It will only bring you luck if you keep it unopened."
Then the queen handed the chest to Taro.
Taro was delighted with his gift and he thanked the queen many times.
Then, holding the precious chest in his hand, Taro got on the turtle's back and amid a swirl of water and bubbles they sped to the surface of the sea.
They reached the beach, and Taro bid good-by to the turtle. Then Taro set out for home.
When he arrived at the gates of his native village, he was surprised to see that everything was changed.
Nothing was the same as before he had gone to the Coral Palace. Not one familiar face remained, and Taro felt like a stranger. Taro asked many people about his old friends, but hardly anyone seemed even to have heard of them. Only one or two old men remembered Taro's friends. These old men had heard their grandfathers speak of them, but that was many, many years ago.
With disappointment and sorrow heavy in his heart, Taro looked for the home where he had once lived. But even that was no longer there, and strange people now lived on the site in a new house. Taro felt very lonely in this strange town where he was but a puzzling stranger to all the inhabitants.
Taro plodded his weary way to the seashore and sat upon a rock where he could see the waves roll in.
Suddenly he remembered the chest the queen had given him. Taro was so lonely he forgot the words of the little queen, and he began to open the chest. When the lid was open, a column of white smoke arose from the chest. The smoke was strange and surrounded Taro. And when the smoke disappeared, Taro had become an old man with hair as white as snow. For Taro had really been under the sea for many years, and now time had caught up with him.
The stories are from Fables: Urashima and the Tortoise and Tales of Wonder: Tales from Japan.