An Honest Woodcutter

Short Version

Once there was a poor woodcutter. One day, he was cutting wood near a river. Suddenly, his axe fell into the water. He looked for it, but he could not find it. He became very sad and started to cry.

After some time, a fairy came to him. She asked, “Why are you crying?” The woodcutter said, “My axe has fallen into the water.”

The fairy went into the river and brought out a golden axe. The woodcutter said, “This is not my axe.”

Then she brought out a silver axe. Again, he said, “This is not mine.”

At last, the fairy brought out his old iron axe. The woodcutter became happy and said, “Yes, this is my axe.”

The fairy was pleased with his honesty. She gave him all three axes as a reward.

Moral: Honesty brings a good reward.

Expanded Version

Once there was a poor woodcutter. He earned his living by cutting wood in a forest. One day, he was cutting a tree near a river. Suddenly, his old iron axe slipped from his hand and fell into the deep water.

The woodcutter looked into the river and tried to find the axe, but he could not see it. The axe was very important to him because he needed it for his work. He became very sad and sat beside the river crying.

After some time, a fairy appeared before him. She asked, “Why are you crying?” The woodcutter replied, “My axe has fallen into the water. I am poor, and I cannot do my work without it.”

The fairy went into the river and came back with a golden axe. “Is this yours?” she asked. The woodcutter said, “No, this is not my axe.”

Next, the fairy brought a silver axe. Again, the woodcutter said, “No, this is not mine.”

At last, she brought his old iron axe. The woodcutter became very happy and said, “Yes, that is my axe.”

The fairy was pleased with his honesty. She gave him his iron axe and also the golden and silver axes as a reward. The woodcutter thanked her and returned home happily.

Moral: Honesty brings a good reward.