urashima, being only a poor fisher lad, did not know how to behave in a palace; but, strange though it was all to him, he did not feel ashamed or embarrassed, but followed his kind guides quite calmly where they led to the inner palace. when he reached the portals a beautiful princess with her attendant maidens came out to welcome him. she was more beautiful than any human being, and was robed in flowing garments of red and soft green like the under side of a wave, and golden threads glimmered through the folds of her gown. her lovely black hair streamed over her shoulders in the fashion of a king's daughter many hundreds of years ago, and when she spoke her voice sounded like music over the water. urashima was lost in wonder while he looked upon her, and he could not speak. then he remembered that he ought to bow, but before he could make a low obeisance the princess took him by the hand and led him to a beautiful hall, and to the seat of honor at the upper end, and bade him be seated.