The Honest Woodcutter
In a village lived a poor but honest woodcutter. His name was Raju. Every day, Raju would go to the forest to chop wood and sell it in the market to earn his living.
One day, he was cutting trees by the river. Suddenly, his iron axe slipped and fell into the river. The woodcutter was deeply saddened because it was his only source of livelihood. He sat down on the riverbank and started crying.
Just then, a fairy appeared from the river. She asked the woodcutter why he was crying. The woodcutter told the truth.
The fairy dived into the river and brought a golden axe and asked,
“Is this yours?”
The woodcutter said, “No, my axe is made of iron.”
The fairy dived again, this time bringing a silver axe.
The woodcutter again refused.
Finally, the fairy brought an iron axe.
The woodcutter happily replied, “Yes, this is my axe.”
The fairy was very pleased with the woodcutter’s honesty and gave him all three axes. The woodcutter was very happy and thanked her.
Moral:
The fruit of honesty is always sweet.