A poor woodcutter's life is changed forever by a single act of honesty in this beautifully illustrated classic fable. When his axe falls into a magical river, a divine encounter tests his heart and brings a reward beyond his wildest dreams, teaching us all that truth is the greatest treasure.
In a quiet little village, there lived a poor but hardworking woodcutter named Ramu. Every morning, he would set out into the lush green forest with his old iron axe to gather wood to support his family.
One day, Ramu found a sturdy tree growing right on the bank of a deep, fast-flowing river. He began to chop the wood with great focus, the rhythmic sound of his axe echoing through the peaceful woods.
Suddenly, Ramu's hand slipped, and his only iron axe flew into the deep water with a loud splash. He watched in shock as the ripples spread and his only tool vanished beneath the dark surface.
Ramu sat by the riverbank, overcome with grief, and began to cry. He felt helpless and wondered how he would ever be able to earn money for his family's food without his precious axe.
Hearing his sincere cries, a radiant Water God suddenly emerged from the river in a shimmer of magical light. The God looked at Ramu with compassion and asked him why he was so distressed.
The God dived into the deep water and returned holding a magnificent axe made of pure, shining gold. He asked Ramu if this was his lost tool, but Ramu honestly replied that it was not his.
The God dived again and brought up a beautiful silver axe that sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight. Ramu looked at it closely but again shook his head, explaining that his axe was much simpler.
Finally, the God pulled out the old, rusty iron axe from the depths of the river. Ramu’s eyes filled with joy, and he happily exclaimed that this was indeed his own familiar tool.
The Water God was so impressed by Ramu's unwavering honesty that he decided to reward him. He gave Ramu the gold and silver axes as a gift to keep, along with his own iron axe.
Ramu returned home to his family as a wealthy and happy man, his heart full of gratitude. He shared his story with the entire village, teaching everyone that the fruits of honesty are always sweet.
एक समय की बात है। एक छोटे से गाँव में एक गरीब लकड़हारा रहता था। वह रोज़ जंगल में जाकर लकड़ियाँ काटता और उन्हें बेचकर अपने परिवार का गुज़ारा करता था। एक दिन वह नदी के किनारे पेड़ काट रहा था। अचानक उसका हाथ फिसल गया और उसकी कुल्हाड़ी नदी में गिर गई। लकड़हारा बहुत दुखी हो गया। वह नदी के किनारे बैठकर रोने लगा। उसने कहा, “अब मैं अपने परिवार का पालन-पोषण कैसे करूँगा?” तभी अचानक नदी से एक देवता प्रकट हुए। उन्होंने पूछा, “तुम क्यों रो रहे हो?” लकड़हारे ने सारी बात सच-सच बता दी। देवता नदी में गए और एक सोने की कुल्हाड़ी लेकर आए। उन्होंने पूछा, “क्या यह तुम्हारी कुल्हाड़ी है?” लकड़हारे ने कहा, “नहीं, यह मेरी नहीं है।” फिर देवता नदी में गए और चाँदी की कुल्हाड़ी लेकर आए। उन्होंने फिर पूछा, “क्या यह तुम्हारी कुल्हाड़ी है?” लकड़हारे ने फिर कहा, “नहीं, यह भी मेरी नहीं है।” आख़िर में देवता उसकी लोहे की पुरानी कुल्हाड़ी लेकर आए। लकड़हारा खुश होकर बोला, “हाँ, यही मेरी कुल्हाड़ी है।” लकड़हारे की ईमानदारी देखकर देवता बहुत खुश हुए। उन्होंने उसे सोने और चाँदी की कुल्हाड़ी भी इनाम में दे दी। लकड़हारा खुशी-खुशी अपने घर लौट आया। सीख: 👉 “ईमानदारी का फल हमेशा मीठा होता है।”
