The Honest Woodcutter

Copy 1: 100–120 Words

Once there was a woodcutter. He was very poor. Every day, he went to the forest to cut trees. One day, he was cutting a tree near a river. Suddenly, his axe fell into the river.

The woodcutter began to cry. A fairy came out of the water. She asked, “Why are you crying?” The woodcutter said, “My axe is lost. I cannot work without it.”

The fairy showed him a gold axe. He said, “This is not mine.” Then she showed him a silver axe. He said, “This is not mine.”

At last, she showed his old iron axe. He said, “This is mine.” The fairy was happy and gave him all three axes.

Copy 2: 150–200 Words

Once there was a woodcutter. He was very poor. He lived in a small hut with his family. Every day, he went to the forest and cut trees. He sold wood in the market and bought food for his family.

One day, he was cutting a tree near a river. Suddenly, his axe fell from his hand into the river. The river was deep. The poor woodcutter could not find his axe. He sat beside the river and began to cry.

Then a fairy came out of the water. She asked, “Why are you crying?” The woodcutter said, “My axe has fallen into the river. I am poor. I cannot buy a new axe.”

The fairy went into the water and brought a gold axe. The woodcutter said, “This is not mine.” Then she brought a silver axe. He said, “This is not mine either.”

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

The fairy was pleased with his honesty. She gave him the gold axe, the silver axe, and his own iron axe. Honesty brought him a great reward.

Copy 3: 250–280 Words

Once there was a woodcutter. He was very poor, but he was honest. He lived in a small hut with his wife and children. Every morning, he went to the forest with his axe. He cut wood, sold it in the market, and bought food for his family.

One day, the woodcutter went to the forest as usual. He began to cut a tree near a river. He worked hard for a long time. Suddenly, his axe slipped from his hand and fell into the river. The river was deep, and the water was moving fast. The poor man could not get his axe back.

The woodcutter sat beside the river and began to cry. He said, “What shall I do now? This axe is my only tool. Without it, I cannot work. My family will have no food.” At that time, a fairy came out of the water. She asked kindly, “Why are you crying, poor man?”

The woodcutter told her everything. The fairy went into the river and came back with a gold axe. She asked, “Is this your axe?” The woodcutter said, “No, madam. This is not mine.” Then the fairy brought a silver axe. The woodcutter again said, “No, this is not mine either.”

At last, the fairy brought his old iron axe. The woodcutter became very happy. He said, “Yes, this is my axe.” The fairy was pleased with his honesty. She said, “You are a truthful man. So I will give you all three axes.”

The woodcutter thanked the fairy and went home happily. The story teaches us that honesty is always rewarded.