Once upon a time, there was a poor wood-cutter. He lived near to a jungle. He lived from hand to month. But he was very industrious and honest. He earned his livelihood by selling wood in the market.
One day he was cutting wood in a jungle. There was a river nearby. Suddenly his only axe slipped out of his hand and fell into the deep water of the river. That axe was the only means of his earning. He had not enough money to buy another new one. So, he became very much grieved at his grave loss. He began to weep bitterly and thought in himself how I will cut wood now. If I do not cut wood, my family will have to starve". His cry drew the attention of the water-goddess. She appeared before the wood cutter and asked him why he was crying. The wood-cutter told her about his loss. The water-goddess took pity on him. But she wanted to judge the man first. She dived into the water and brought a golden axe. Then she asked the wood cutter.
"Is it your axe?"
The wood-cutter replied, "No".
Then the goddess dived again and brought a silver axe. She said to the wood-cutter.
"I hope, it is your axe, isn't it?"
The poor wood-cutter answered, "No, it is not mine. My axe was simple and made of iron, not of silver or gold."
After that, the goddess dived into the water with a smiling face. This time she brought the actual axe of the wood-cutter. The poor wood-cutter became very delighted to see his own axe. He became very grateful to the goddess and thanked her whole kindheartedly. The goddess praised the wood-cutter by giving him all the three axes.
We all should bear in mind that honesty is all the way rewarded by all. It is a great virtue.
Moral: “Honesty is the best policy."
