Once there lived a woodcutter in a village. He earned his living by selling wood. He went to the forest everyday for collecting wood.
One day, the woodcutter was felling wood near the riverside. By noon he became tired and suddenly his axe fell into the river. The woodcutter lamented and cursed his fate for lose of his axe.
Just then, Lord Mercury appeared and said, 'O Human! May Heavens bless you! Let me know why are you crying?'
The woodcutter raised his head and saw Lord Mercury. He bowed respectfully before Lord Mercury and told him how his axe fell into the river.
Lord Mercury dived into the river and fetched a gold axe. He asked the woodcutter, 'Here is the axe you dropped into the river'. The woodcutter however said, 'O gracious Lord Mercury, this is my axe'.
Lord Mercury went back and returned with a silver axe. He gave the woodcutter the silver axe, but the woodcutter refused to take it, saying that it was not his axe.
Lord Mercury returned with the silver axe, and reappeared with the woodcutter's iron axe. The woodcutter was elated to see his axe. He took his axe and thanked Lord Mercury.
Lord Mercury was pleased with the woodcutter's honesty. He blessed the woodcutter and gave him the golden and silver axes as well.
The woodcutter happily returned to his home. He narrated the incidence to his friends and family. One of his friends was greedy and decided to go to the riverside and attempt to get the gold and silver axes for himself.
Next day, the woodcutter's friend went to the riverside and intentionally dropped his axe into the river. Then he sat besides the river and began weeping.
Hearing him cry, Lord Mercury appeared and asked him the cause of his grief. The woodcutter's friend narrated how his axe fell in the river. Hearing his, Lord Mercury went down the river and returned with a golden axe. The man grabbed the gold axe, falsely claiming that it was the axe he dropped in the river.
Lord Mercury however knew the truth. He was displeased with the man's dishonesty. He was angry with the man and said, 'You intentionally dropped your axe in the river. Now you falsely claim this gold axe to be yours. Go away, I curse you to be poor forever!'
The golden axe flew away from the man's hand and the angry God Mercury disappeared.
The man regretted his actions and returned home empty handed.
Moral: Honesty is the best policy.
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