Folktales are unique literature: stories passed from generation to generation in a culture. All cultures have folktales. Often as these stories are told and retold, they change slightly. Many folktales originally told by word of mouth are now in written form, and many readers enjoy them. Myths and fairy tales are types of folktales. Folktales told in a culture tell a lot about the beliefs and values of a culture. For instance, Cinderella tells about the dream of rags to riches and about the rewards of being a hardworking, kind person.

America, because it attracted immigrants from many nations, is full of the folktales from many cultures. As people journeyed to America to build railroads, farm the land, and build communities, they added to the rich cultural heritage of our nation.

This is just one example of a folktale from a group of people who journeyed to America. Before you begin to read, discover where this folktale originated. As you read, think about what values and beliefs this folktale teaches. After you read, compare this folktale to others you have read. Is this like some that you know? How?

Before you begin to read:
Try to find the location where this folktale originated.

As you read:
Think about what values and beliefs this folktale teaches.

After you read:
Compare this folktale to others you have read. Is this like some that you know? How?

Tiny Finger—a Japanese Tale

Long, long ago, there lived a couple in a small village in Japan. The couple, named Kenta and Mori, loved each other and were happy together. Each evening the couple shared the news of the day with one another. The only thing missing in the couple’s life was a son. So, each day Kenta and Mori prayed to the Sun Goddess to bless them with a son. They said, “We will be happy even if the child were only as large as our finger.”

Time went by and still the couple did not have a child, but one day Mori surprised her husband by telling him they were to have a child. The couple immediately went to the temple and thanked the Sun Goddess for the good fortune. When the child was born, the couple was surprised to see that their new son was only as big as the little finger of a human hand. But they were happy and named the child Issunboshi, which means “as tiny as a finger.” Over time the baby grew older and stronger, but he remained the size of a small finger. The boy’s parents often prayed to the Sun Goddess to keep their son safe.

One day, Tiny Finger went to his parents and told them about his wish to travel to Kyoto and serve the emperor. Kenta and Mori were surprised and a little worried, but they knew that their son was brave and strong and old enough to go out into the world alone. Before he left, Tiny Finger asked his mother for a needle that he could use as a sword. He also asked for a bowl and chopstick to use as a boat and an oar for his journey to Kyoto.

The journey was dangerous. Fish attacked the small boat. Waves threatened to overturn it, and Tiny Finger applied all his strength to row the boat to Kyoto. When he arrived, the young man was amazed by the beautiful sights and sounds of the city. He found his way to a great palace. Tiny Finger approached the great palace and began to yell, “Hello, hello. I am here to serve you.” The palace guards could not see the tiny boy, but they called the lord of the castle who came to the door. The lord could hear a small voice, but could not see anything. Eventually, he looked to the ground and noticed Tiny Finger.

Tiny Finger said, “I have come to offer my services to you.” The great lord was amazed and delighted by the tiny warrior and said, “You are a brave young man, and I would like you to serve my daughter. Please come and meet her.” Tiny Finger moved into the palace and served the young princess well. The princess grew to love Tiny Finger and the two were inseparable.

One day the princess and her guard, Tiny Finger, went for a ride in the forest. Suddenly, a bandit jumped out and attacked the princess. Tiny Finger wielding his needle sword attacked the bandit with all of his might. He stabbed the bandit in the feet with his needle, and then disappeared between the bandit’s feet over and over again. The thief became so afraid and frustrated by these attacks that he eventually ran away into the forest leaving his bag of goods behind. The princess came out of her hiding spot and thanked Tiny Finger for saving her life. She looked in the bag, and noticed a magic mallet. She said to Tiny Finger, “This is a magic mallet that will grant you one wish.” Knowing immediately what to wish for, Tiny Finger picked up the mallet, hit it on the ground, and wished three times to be as big and strong as any warrior in the kingdom. With each wish, Tiny Finger grew taller and with the third wish Tiny Finger stood as tall and handsome as any warrior in the land.

Tiny Finger and the princess returned to the castle, and the great lord was pleased to see the new Tiny Finger and even more thankful that the warrior saved his daughter from danger. Soon, the princess and her favorite warrior were married. For a wedding trip, they traveled back down the river to the small village were Kenta and Mori lived. The parents were surprised and happy to see their son as such a tall, strong warrior. Over time, Tiny Finger became a great lord himself, and he and his bride lived happily ever after.