The Woodcutter's Honest Answer
A woodcutter dropped his old iron axe into a deep river and sat down and wept.
A river spirit rose up holding a shining golden axe. "Is this yours?"
"No," said the woodcutter. "Mine was old and plain."
The spirit brought up a silver axe, and again the man shook his head.
Then she brought his own worn iron axe, and his face lit up at once.
"For your honesty," said the spirit, "take all three," and the woodcutter went home singing.
Honesty is worth more than gold, and often brings it too.
HonestyDid you know?
This story is told in India, Greece and dozens of other places, always with the same ending.
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Questions to talk about
Ask these after reading. The answer is underneath each one.
What did the woodcutter lose?
Answer: His iron axe
Which axe did he say was his?
Answer: The old iron one
What is the moral?
Answer: Honesty is worth more than gold
Bring this story to life
In the Superkids app your child reads this story with pictures, hears it read aloud, answers the questions as a game, and earns stars for every story finished.
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