The Goodwoodcutter

Art: Natasha, 13, USA

There was once a woodcutter. 
He was so good that people called him Goodwoodcutter. 

Goodwoodcutter sold wood every day and fed his big family. 

One day, while cutting wood in the forest, his axe fell into the lake. 

He tried hard to find it, but he could not. 

He became very sad and sat beside the lake. 

Soon he heard a soft voice which asked, 

“Why are you so sad, woodcutter?”

Goodwoodcutter looked up and saw a fairy.

“I had only one axe and it has fallen into the lake” he said.

“Do not worry. I will bring back your axe” said the fairy and she dived into the lake.

She came out with an axe made of gleaming gold.

“Is this your axe?” the fairy asked Goodwoodcutter.

“No” he answered.

The fairy dived into the lake again. 

She came out with an axe made of shining silver. 

“Is this your axe?” the fairy asked Goodwoodcutter.

“No” he answered.

The fairy dived into the lake again. 

She came out with an old iron axe. 

“Is this your axe?” the fairy asked Goodwoodcutter.

“Oh yes!” he exclaimed.

The fairy was pleased with Goodwoodcutter. 

She gave him all the three axes as a reward for his honesty.  

(Retold)