The Story#
A long, long time ago, in Japanese mythology, there was a beautiful sun goddess named Amaterasu.
She was the most important goddess in Japan.
Amaterasu lived in a beautiful palace in the sky called Takamagahara.
Every day, she went out of her palace and rode her chariot across the sky.
“Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Her chariot brought light and warmth to the world.
The plants grew, the animals played, and people were happy.
But one day, Amaterasu’s brother, the storm god Susanoo, was very naughty.
He broke Amaterasu’s palace and ruined her garden.
“Hey! You broke my things!” Amaterasu shouted.
Susanoo laughed and ran away.
Amaterasu was so angry that she hid in a cave.
“Whoosh!”
She closed the cave door and blocked it with a big rock.
Darkness covered the world. No sun, no light, no warmth.
Plants died, animals were scared, and people were sad.
The other gods were worried. They wanted to bring Amaterasu back.
They made a party outside the cave.
“Yay! Let’s dance! Let’s sing!”
They made a beautiful mirror and a shiny necklace.
The goddess Ame-no-Uzume danced and danced.
“Look! Look!” she shouted.
The gods laughed and clapped.
Amaterasu was curious. She peeked out of the cave.
The gods showed her the mirror. She saw her reflection!
“Wow!” Amaterasu said. “I’m beautiful!”
She came out of the cave, and the sun returned to the world!
Little friends, Amaterasu’s story teaches us: even when we’re sad, we can find happiness again. Friends can help us feel better.
What the Story Teaches Us#
Amaterasu returned to the world after being tricked out of the cave. This story teaches us that friends and joy can help us overcome sadness.