+ ------------------------ The Woodcutter and the Golden Axe
Once a woodcutter was working hard in the forest and
was fetching wood to sell for some food. While he was chopping a tree, his axe accidentally fell into the river. The river was deep and flowing very fast - he lost his axe and could not find it again. He started crying sitting on the bank of the river. While he was crying, the river god got up and asked him what had happened. The woodcutter told him the story. The god of the river offered to help him in his search for the axe. He disappeared into the river and retrieved a golden axe, but the woodcutter said it was not his. He then disappeared and returned with a silver axe, but the woodcutter said it was not his either. The god again disappeared into the water and came back with an iron axe-the woodcutter smiled and said it was his. The god was impressed by the woodcutter's honesty and presented him with axes of gold and silver.