The Poor Woodcutter
Once upon a time, there lived a poor woodcutter in a small village. His name was Karim. He lived with his wife and two children in a tiny hut near the forest. Every day Karim went to the forest early in the morning with his old axe to cut wood. He worked very hard, but he earned only a little money.
One day, while cutting a tree near the river, his axe slipped from his hand and fell into the deep water. Karim became very sad because it was his only axe. Suddenly, a kind fairy appeared from the river. She asked Karim why he was crying.
Karim told her the truth about his lost axe. The fairy went into the water and brought a golden axe. She asked if it was his. Karim said no. Then she brought a silver axe. Karim again said it was not his. Finally, she brought his old iron axe. Karim happily said it was his.
The fairy was very pleased with his honesty. She gave him all three axes as a reward. Karim returned home happily and lived a better life.
Moral: Honesty is the best policy.