Once upon a time, in a time even longer ago, there lived a poor woodcutter in a dense forest. His days were spent in the depths of the trees, hacking away at sturdy trunks to earn his living.

Each day, as the sun peeked over the horizon, the woodcutter embarked on his journey into the forest. His loving wife, mindful of his toil, would pack his knapsack with wholesome food and a full bottle of water to sustain him through the day.

One particular day dawned, just as any other. The woodcutter, armed with his ax and spirit, was set to take on a mighty old oak tree. The robust tree promised sturdy boards and hardwood, a prize for any woodcutter.

As he approached the old oak, he gripped his ax firmly and heaved it high above his shoulders, ready to bring it down with all his might. But just as he was about to strike, a distinct voice echoed through the silence of the forest.

The ax froze mid-air, and the woodcutter stood there, bewildered. From within the heart of the grand old oak emerged a fairy, her eyes moist and pleading. She softly begged and pleaded for the life of the oak, her voice filled with distress.

Taken aback, the woodcutter could barely process the surreal encounter. He stood there, wide-eyed, unable to utter a single word. After what felt like an eternity, he finally managed to stutter, "I... I won't chop it, if you ask."

The fairy's face lit up with relief. She thanked the woodcutter, and in return for his kindness, promised to grant him three wishes, any three desires he held close to his heart.

The woodcutter, still grappling with the unfamiliar situation, took a moment to consider his wishes. His mind raced through countless possibilities, each one more tempting than the previous.

His first wish was a practical one, he wished for a sturdy house, one that would not leak in the rain and would stand firm against the gustiest of winds. The fairy nodded, smiling gently, and with a wave of her hand, his wish was granted.

His second wish was also a simple one: he wished for enough food and clothing for his family, and never to go to bed hungry or cold again. Again, the fairy nodded and granted his wish.

When it came to his third wish, however, the woodcutter paused. He pondered what to ask for, not wanting to waste this last precious gift. His mind wandered to dreams of wealth, power and fame, but none of these truly appealed to him.

Finally, he looked at the fairy, his eyes shining with determination and said, "I wish for happiness. Not fleeting moments of joy, but genuine, profound happiness that will last me a lifetime."

The fairy's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with delight. "A wish well chosen," she praised, "and may it be so." With a final nod of her head and a wave of her hand, she disappeared back into the old oak, leaving the woodcutter alone in the forest.

The woodcutter returned home that day, his knapsack still full, and his bottle untouched. He found a sturdy house standing where his tumble-down shack used to be, and inside, a feast like none other waiting for him.

From that day forth, the woodcutter and his family never lacked for anything. They always had enough food, wore warm and comfortable clothes, and lived in a house that weathered all storms.

But more importantly, they found a happiness like no other, a profound, lasting joy that filled their days and nights. The woodcutter realized that he had been granted the most precious gift of all, the gift of contentment.

As years went by, the old oak continued to stand tall and strong in the heart of the forest, a silent guardian watching over the woodcutter and his family. And the woodcutter, in his heart, carried the memory of the kind fairy who had forever changed his life.

The story of the woodcutter and the fairy passed down through the generations, a legend that taught the villagers to respect the forest and its inhabitants. And so, the forest and its magical dwellers lived on in harmony with the village folk.

Through the tale of the simple woodcutter, people learned that true happiness does not lie in material wealth or power, but in contentment and love. And so, the wish of the woodcutter continued to echo through the world, touching the hearts of those who heard it.

And thus, the woodcutter's life, once filled with hardship and struggle, had become a tale of kindness, wisdom and profound happiness. A tale as timeless as the old oak itself, reminding us of the simple, yet profound truth, that happiness is truly the greatest wealth.