The honest woodcutter
Once upon a time, there was a hardworking woodcutter who lived near a lush forest. Every day, he chopped wood and sold it at the market. One day, while working near the riverbank, his axe slipped from his hands and fell into the deep water. He was devastated he couldn’t afford to buy a new one. At that moment, a mysterious figure appeared, floating above the water. It was a kind forest spirit. She asked the woodcutter what had happened. When he explained, she dove into the river and returned with a golden axe. “Is this yours?” she asked.
The woodcutter shook his head and said, “No, that one’s not mine.” She dove again and came back with a silver axe. “Is this one yours?”
Again he replied, “No, that’s not mine either.
”Finally, she brought up his old iron axe. Overjoyed, the woodcutter exclaimed, “Yes, that one is mine!”Impressed by his honesty, the spirit rewarded him with all three axes the iron, the silver, and the gold.
Food for thought
Honesty may not always be the easiest choice, but it is the one that builds true character. In a worldfull of shortcuts, staying true to your values can lead to unexpected and lasting rewards.