Honesty is the best policy.

 

🌿 Short Story (100–120 words)

Once a poor woodcutter was cutting a tree near a river. Suddenly his axe slipped from his hand and fell into the water. He became very sad as it was his only tool to earn a living. Seeing this, the river god appeared and offered to help. First, the god showed him a golden axe, but the woodcutter refused, saying it was not his. Then, the god showed a silver axe, which he again refused. At last, the god showed him his iron axe. The woodcutter happily claimed it. The god was pleased with his honesty and gave him all three axes. Thus, honesty brought him reward.

Moral: Honesty is the best policy.

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🌿 Long Story (250–300 words)

Long ago, a poor but hardworking woodcutter lived in a small village. Every day he went to the forest, cut wood, and sold it to earn his living. One day, while chopping a tree near a riverbank, his axe slipped and fell into the deep water. The woodcutter became very worried, as it was his only means of livelihood.

Just then, the river god appeared. He asked the reason for the woodcutter’s sorrow. After listening, the god dived into the water and brought out a golden axe. “Is this yours?” asked the god. The woodcutter shook his head and said, “No, that is not mine.” The god again dived and came up with a silver axe. The woodcutter again refused, saying, “This is also not mine.” Finally, the god brought out the woodcutter’s old iron axe. The man’s face lit up, and he said, “Yes, this one is mine.”

The river god was very pleased with his honesty. He not only gave the poor man his iron axe but also gifted him the golden and silver axes as a reward. The woodcutter returned home happily and told everyone what had happened. From that day, people in the village realized that honesty always brings peace and reward.

Moral: Honesty is the best policy.