In a dense forest lived a poor woodcutter. He worked hard every day, cutting wood and selling it in the market.

One day, while chopping a tree near the river, his axe slipped out of his hands and fell into the deep water.

The woodcutter was distressed. His axe was the only means of his livelihood, and he didn't have money to buy a new one.

Suddenly, a beautiful figure emerged from the river. It was the River Goddess. She asked, 'Why are you upset, kind man?'

The woodcutter told her about his lost axe. The Goddess dived into the river and came out with a golden axe.

'Is this your axe?' she asked. The woodcutter replied honestly, 'No, my axe was made of iron, not gold.'

The Goddess then brought out a silver axe and asked if it was his. The woodcutter shook his head and said, 'No, that's not mine either.'

Finally, she brought out an iron axe. The woodcutter's face lit up. 'That's my axe!' he exclaimed.

Impressed by his honesty, the Goddess said, 'For your honesty, you can keep all three axes.'

The woodcutter was overjoyed. He thanked the Goddess and returned home with the axes.

The woodcutter's life improved significantly. He sold the golden and silver axes and lived comfortably.

He always remembered the lesson he learned that day - honesty is indeed the best policy.