The Honest Woodcutter
Once upon a time there lived a poor woodcutter in a small village near a forest. Every day he went to the forest to cut wood and sell it in the market. With the little money he earned, he somehow managed to support his family. Though he was poor, he was very honest and hardworking.
One day, while he was cutting a tree near a river, his axe suddenly slipped from his hand and fell into the deep water. The river was very deep and the woodcutter did not know how to swim. He became very sad and started crying because the axe was the only tool he had to earn his living.
Hearing his cries, the god of the river appeared before him. The god asked him why he was crying. The woodcutter told him everything honestly. The river god then dived into the water and brought out a golden axe. He asked the woodcutter if it was his axe. The woodcutter looked at it and replied honestly that it was not his.
Then the god went into the water again and brought out a silver axe. He asked the woodcutter the same question. The woodcutter again replied that it was not his axe. Finally, the god brought out an iron axe. Seeing it, the woodcutter became very happy and said that it was his own axe.
The river god was very pleased with the woodcutter's honesty. As a reward, he gave the woodcutter all three axes – the golden, the silver, and the iron one. The woodcutter thanked the god and returned home happily.
Moral: Honesty is always rewarded.