Not the bravest sailor in the whole village dared venture so far out to sea as Uraschimataro , and many a time the neighbours used to shake their heads and say to his parents , ` If your son goes on being so rash , one day he will try his luck once too often , and the waves will end by swallowing him up . ' But Uraschimataro paid no heed to these remarks , and as he was really very clever in managing a boat , the old people were very seldom anxious about him . One beautiful bright morning , as he was hauling his well-filled nets into the boat , he saw lying among the fishes a tiny little turtle . He was delighted with his prize , and threw it into a wooden vessel to keep till he got home , when suddenly the turtle found its voice , and tremblingly begged for its life . ` After all , ' it said , ` what good can I do you ? I am so young and small , and I would so gladly live a little longer . Be merciful and set me free , and I shall know how to prove my gratitude . ' Now Uraschimataro was very good-natured , and besides , he could never bear to say no , so he picked up the turtle , and put it back into the sea . Years flew by , and every morning Uraschimataro sailed his boat into the deep sea . But one day as he was making for a little bay between some rocks , there arose a fierce whirlwind , which shattered his boat to pieces , and she was sucked under by the waves . Uraschimataro himself very nearly shared the same fate . But he was a powerful swimmer , and struggled hard to reach the shore . Then he saw a large turtle coming towards him , and above the howling of the storm he heard what it said : ' I am the turtle whose life you once saved . I will now pay my debt and show my gratitude . The land is still far distant , and without my help you would never get there . Climb on my back , and I will take you where you will . ' Uraschimataro did not wait to be asked twice , and thankfully accepted his friend 's help . But scarcely was he seated firmly on the shell , when the turtle proposed that they should not return to the shore at once , but go under the sea , and look at some of the wonders that lay hidden there . Uraschimataro agreed willingly , and in another moment they were deep , deep down , with fathoms of blue water above their heads . Oh , how quickly they darted through the still , warm sea !
The young man held tight , and marvelled where they were going and how long they were to travel , but for three days they rushed XXXXX , till at last the turtle stopped before a splendid palace , shining with gold and silver , crystal and precious stones , and decked here and there with branches of pale pink coral and glittering pearls .
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