An Honest woodcutter

Once there lived an honest woodcutter in a small village. He used to go to a forest for cutting woods. By selling woods he used to feed his family. Actually, cutting woods was the sole source of his income. One day, while cutting trees near a river, his axe slipped out of his hand and fell into the river. The woodcutter did not know how to swim. Moreover, the water level of the river was too deep. So, he had nothing to do to get his axe back. Then, he started crying.

Suddenly, the goddess of the river appeared before him and said to him, “Why are you crying, my son?” “My axe fell into the river,” he replied. “It was the only means of my livelihood. Now how can I feed my family?” “Don’t cry,” she consoled him. “I am trying to get your axe back.”

She then put her hand into the river and took a silver axe out of the river and asked him if it was his axe. He said, “It is not mine.” She again put her hand into the river and took out a golden axe and said to him, “Is it yours?” He again shook his head. Finally, the goddess brought out the iron axe and showed it to him. He instantly recognized it and started smiling. He with his smiling face thanked the goddess. Being pleased for his honesty, she also gifted both golden and silver axe along with the iron one. The woodcutter then left the place happily. 

Short Story Writing (Part I)

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