The Honest Woodcutter

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

The problem is small, the choices are clear, and the ending is fair. That “justice feels calm” quality helps kids relax—especially when they’ve had a day of big feelings or little mistakes.

Story Synopsis

A woodcutter works hard each day near a river, chopping wood to support himself. One day his axe slips from his hands and sinks into the water. Without it, he can’t work, and he feels worried. A mysterious helper appears and offers to retrieve the axe. First, a shiny golden axe is brought up. The woodcutter says it isn’t his. Then a silver axe appears—still not his. Finally, the simple iron axe is returned, and the woodcutter gratefully says yes. Because he tells the truth even when it would be easy to claim something better, he is rewarded. The tale shows that honesty isn’t just “being good”—it’s choosing truth even when nobody would know. The ending leaves a gentle sense of safety: doing the right thing leads to trust, and trust leads to good things.

Story Excerpt

A poor woodcutter worked near the edge of a deep still pool in the forest All day long he had been chopping and stacking starting when the sun first climbed into the sky By late afternoon his arms felt heavy and his hands were tired He lifted his axe again and again aiming for the trunk of a tree beside the water But his swing was not as steady as it had been that morning Then it happened slip The axe flew out of his hands spun once in the air and dropped straight into the pool with a soft splash The water rippled in circles and then it went quiet again as if it had swallowed the sound The woodcutter froze He leaned over the edge peering down into the dark water but he could not see the axe at all Oh no he whispered That axe was not just a tool It was the one thing he owned that helped him earn his living He did not have enough money to buy another His shoulders drooped and he wrung his hands feeling worried and helpless As he stood there upset and weeping a bright presence seemed to step out of the forest air as if the light itself had taken a friendly shape It was Mercury the god…

In One Glance