Once upon a time, in a quiet village beside a green forest, there lived a woodcutter. Every morning, while the sky was still soft and pink, he walked into the woods with his old iron axe. He worked hard all day, cutting wood to sell in the market so he could care for his family.
The woodcutter was not rich, but he was happy. He believed that honest work and a kind heart were more valuable than gold.
One hot afternoon, he stood near a deep river and began chopping a tall tree. Sweat ran down his hands. Suddenly, the axe slipped from his grip and fell into the water with a loud splash. The river was dark and deep. He could not see his axe anywhere.
The woodcutter sat on a rock and covered his face. “That was my only axe,← he whispered. “Without it, how will I earn food for my family?← Soft tears rolled down his cheeks as he prayed to the Goddess of the river for help.
Then, the water began to shimmer. A kind River Goddess rose from the sparkling waves. “Why are you crying?← she asked gently. The woodcutter told her everything.
The Goddess smiled and dipped into the river. When she came back, she held a shining silver axe. “Is this yours?← she asked. The woodcutter shook his head. “No, Goddess. That axe is not mine.←
She dipped again and returned with a golden axe that glowed like sunlight. “Is this the one?← she asked. Once more, the woodcutter said, “No. I cannot take what does not belong to me. My axe was plain iron.←
At last, the Goddess brought up his old iron axe. The woodcutter’s eyes lit up. “Yes! That is mine!← he cried with joy.
The Goddess was deeply pleased. “Your honesty is rare and beautiful,← she said. As a reward, she gave him all three axes—the iron, the silver, and the gold. The woodcutter thanked her with a grateful heart and walked home happier than ever before.