Kodomo no Koen
(The Childrens' Playground)


Japanese Children's Fairy Tales

There are many stories that get passed from parents to children in this world. If only we could keep track of all of them. I have found some English translations of famous Japanese childrens' stories and would like to put a few of them up here for your reading pleasure. Please note that these stories were NOT written by me and I take no credit for them whatsoever. The credit should go to the authors. I just want the rest of the world to enjoy what I have been able to enjoy.

As time progresses I plan on adding more stories to the list. In the meantime, enjoy what you find here.

Momotaro, the Peach Boy

A childless, elderly couple find happiness and good fortune inside a peach pit.

The Tree house

If you look toward the back of the park, you will find a small wooded area that people disappear into from time to time. Why? Because it is quiet, peaceful and there you can get away to a private little place, away from the flash of neon lights, and the roar of automobiles.

If you decide to brave the brambles, the man-eating squirrels, the poison oak, the snakes, monkeys and water buffalo, be sure to take a look up, way up. For high up in the trees you will see a tree house. This is no ordinary, shoddy tree house. No. This is The Treehouse where we have created a relaxing environment for friends and family to sit back with a cup of their favorite beverage, put their feet up and "breathe green" for a while. As Opus from Bloom County used to say, "take a dandelion break". I miss Opus, don't you?

What is here, you ask? On The Coffee Table you can find our family photo album which you are free to flip through at your leisure. I hope you enjoy looking at us from infant to present day. Also you will find many archived news articles worth looking at. They chronicle the events in our life ranging from the bizarre to the banal. On the walls, I have a collection of scribbles showing the humorous aspect of our Life in This House. This is probably best enjoyed by people who know what strange people we really are.