An Honest Woodcutter Story

In a small village, there lived a woodcutter. He was hardworking, sincere, and very honest at his work. For his living, he used to go to a nearby forest to cut trees. The honest woodcutter brought the logs of trees back into the village from the forest and sold them to a merchant. He used to earn money, in the same way, every day and used to fulfill his needs. Though he earned just enough to make a living, he was satisfied with his simple and peaceful living.

One day, when the woodcutter was cutting a tree near a river, his axe slipped off his hand and fell into the river. Unfortunately, the river was so deep that he could not even think of retrieving his axe alone. Since he had only one axe to cut the trees, he was worried about how he could earn money for his living further. He was so unhappy with the happening and prayed to the Goddess. 

Due to sincere and extreme devotion in his prayer, Goddess appeared in front of him and asked, “What is your problem, my son?” The woodcutter explained his problem and pleaded with the Goddess to get his axe back.

Hearing that, the Goddess put her hand deep into the river, took out a silver axe, and asked, “Is this your axe?” The woodcutter looked at the axe and replied, “No.” So, the Goddess put her hand deep into the water again, showed a golden axe to the woodcutter, and asked, “Is this your axe?” He looked at the golden axe and replied, “No”.

This time, the Goddess told the woodcutter to take a look again. She said, “Son, this is an expensive golden axe. Are you sure this is not yours?” The honest woodcutter replied, “No, it is not mine. I cannot cut the trees with a golden axe. It is not useful for me”.

Then, the Goddess smiled, put her hand deep into the water again, and finally took out the woodcutter’s iron axe and asked, “Is this yours?” The honest woodcutter replied with happiness, “Yes, this is mine! Thank you!”

The Goddess was very impressed with the woodcutter’s honesty and gave him his iron axe and two more axes as a reward for his honesty.

Moral of An Honest Woodcutter Story

• Never lose your honesty. Always be honest. It will be rewarded.
• Honesty is the best policy.