Aesop
A poor woodcutter is heartbroken when his axe slips into the river. Mercury appears and asks him to show which axe is his, first with a golden axe, then a silver one, and finally his own plain iron tool. Because he tells the truth, he is rewarded with all three. But when a greedy neighbor tries the same trick, he loses everything. This classic fable shows that honesty brings rewards, while dishonesty leads to loss.
A few story details
Woodman: A hardworking and honest woodcutter who loses his axe in the river., Mercury: A compassionate and fair god who helps the woodman and teaches a lesson about honesty., Jealous Companion: Another woodcutter, envious of his friend's good luck, who tries to cheat to gain a golden axe.
A few story details
Riverbank: The edge of a flowing river where the woodcutters are chopping trees., River: A body of water next to where the woodmen work and where the axes fall in.
Guiding ideas
honesty versus dishonesty, rewards for integrity, jealousy and consequences
Moral
Honesty brings rewards, while dishonesty leads to loss.
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