- Obasan says the photo was once upon a time. Like fairytales. Obasan is older than Naomi's grandmother was when she died, and older than anyone that she knows now. She must be like that old wise woman in all the fairytales.
- Even before Naomi could talk she was learning the old Japanese stories. Especially Momotaro, the peach boy.
- The story of the peach boy is this: one day an old couple discovers a huge peach. They try to eat it, but out pops Momotaro. Great. They always wanted a son, but never could have one. Eventually Momotaro has to leave, but they don't cry. They don't want to burden him with their sadness, so they just wave goodbye.
- The moral of the story: act with honor and respect for other people's feelings. That's what the women in Naomi's family do. Naomi's mother and grandmother always know what she wants before she wants it. She tries to do the same for them.
- So far, her childhood is great. Naomi doesn't remember being punished or even crying, but that's too good to be true isn't it? Aunt Emily says it's true. Naomi never cried, never talked, and never even smiled. She just drank milk and listened to the story of Momotaro.