It's only natural for parents to worry, and sometimes they worry a little too much. Once, a girl was beautiful - and her parents worried that she was too pretty. They were so concerned that they sent her out into the world with a bowl over her head. Poor girl! How could she find a job? How could she find love? When she had a bowl over her head? People were laughing at her. Even the fairies of the wood thought she was funny. Finally, a kind storyteller and a kind son of a wealthy farmer come into her life. But would she ever take the bowl off her head? That's the question?

We think all ages will enjoy this funny, romantic, and only slightly silly story from Japan. And in case you are wondering, the Japanese words at the start are simply 1, 2, 3.

Our sources for the story and the picture are The Wooden Bowl Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 16 and Japanese Fairy Tales, by Grace James. The story was adapted by Bertie for Storynory and read by Jana. The music is Japanese Souvenir by DeKibo licenced from Premium Beat.

We are delighted to dedicate this story to Cora and Margo who support Storynory on Patreon.Patreon