Hermes and the Woodcutter
An honest woodcutter once lived in a small village. Every day he went to the forest and cut wood. One day he dropped his axe into a deep river. The axe vanished quickly in the dark water. The poor woodcutter sat on the bank and cried sadly. Suddenly the shining god Hermes came out of the river.
Hermes asked about his tears and wanted to help him. Hermes dived and came back with a golden axe. "Is this your axe?" he asked. The woodcutter shook his head and said, "No, it is not mine." Hermes dived again and this time brought a silver axe. The honest man answered again, "No, that one is not mine."
Hermes dived a third time and brought the old iron axe. The woodcutter shouted with joy, "That is my poor axe!" Hermes liked this great honesty very much. He thanked the man because he told the truth. He gave him the gold and the silver axe too. The poor woodcutter thanked the god and went home happy. Honesty always brings a person the finest reward. The one who walks straight reaches the road's end early.