"urashima taro, it gives me the highest pleasure to welcome you to my father's kingdom," said the princess. "yesterday you set free a tortoise, and i have sent for you to thank you for saving my life, for i was that tortoise. now if you like you shall live here forever in the land of eternal youth, where summer never dies and where sorrow never comes, and i will be your bride if you will, and we will live together happily forever afterwards!"