The Honest Woodcutter – A Moral Story About Truthfulness
Once upon a time, in a quiet village by a dense forest, lived a humble woodcutter named Ramesh. He worked hard every day, chopping wood to sell in the market so he could provide for his family. He was known for his honesty and sincerity, and everyone in the village respected him.
The Lost Axe
One day, as Ramesh was cutting wood near a river, his axe slipped from his hands and fell into the water. He gasped as he watched it sink beneath the rippling surface. The axe was his only means of livelihood, and without it, he could not earn a living.
Distressed, Ramesh sat by the riverbank, wondering what to do. He could not afford to buy a new axe. So, he closed his eyes and prayed sincerely, asking for help.
The Mysterious Appearance
Suddenly, the river shimmered, and a divine figure appeared before him. It was Mercury, the messenger of the gods. His radiant presence lit up the surroundings as he spoke in a kind voice, “Why do you look so troubled, dear woodcutter?”
Ramesh stood up respectfully and replied, “O great one, my axe fell into the river, and I cannot retrieve it. Without it, I cannot work and provide for my family.”
Mercury nodded and smiled. “Wait here,” he said before diving into the river.
The Test of Honesty
A moment later, Mercury emerged from the water, holding a gleaming golden axe. “Is this your axe?” he asked.
Ramesh looked at the beautiful golden axe in awe, but he shook his head. “No, sir, that is not mine. My axe was made of simple iron.”
Mercury smiled and disappeared beneath the water again. This time, he returned with a shiny silver axe. “Is this your axe?” he asked again.
Ramesh admired the silver axe but remained truthful. “No, sir, that is not mine either.”
Finally, Mercury dove into the river one last time and reappeared with a rusty old iron axe—the very one that belonged to Ramesh. “Is this your axe?”
Ramesh’s face lit up with joy. “Yes, that is my axe! Thank you so much!”
A Reward for Honesty
Mercury was pleased with Ramesh’s honesty. “Because you have been truthful, I will reward you.” He handed Ramesh all three axes—the gold, the silver, and the iron one.
Ramesh was overwhelmed with gratitude. He thanked Mercury and returned home, where he shared the story with his family and fellow villagers. The people of the village marveled at how honesty had brought him such an unexpected reward.
The Moral of the Story
The tale of the Honest Woodcutter teaches us an important lesson: Honesty is always rewarded in the end. Though Ramesh could have easily taken the golden or silver axe, he chose to be truthful, and his integrity brought him even greater blessings.
It reminds us that no matter how tempting dishonesty may seem, staying truthful will always lead to the best outcomes in life.