Woodman gets a new axe from Mercury after losing his old one
- A poor Woodman loses his axe while working near a pool in a forest and is helped by Mercury.
- Mercury, impressed by the Woodman's honesty, rewards him with additional axes.
- The villagers attempt to deceive Mercury, but their efforts lead to loss rather than reward.
In ancient Greece, a poor Woodman was in distress after losing his only means of income—a wooden axe—while working near a deep pool in a forest. His situation was dire as he had no money to replace it, which left him feeling helpless and overwhelmed. As he lamented his loss, the god Mercury appeared before him, drawn by his tears, and asked what was troubling him. After the Woodman explained his plight, Mercury compassionately dove into the pool multiple times, retrieving a golden axe and then a silver axe, both of which the Woodman honestly rejected, claiming they were not his. After diving for the third time, Mercury retrieved the missing wooden axe, which filled the Woodman with joy. His honesty impressed Mercury, who decided to reward him for his virtue. The god gifted the Woodman not only the wooden axe he had lost but also the gold and silver axes, filling the Woodman with fortune and happiness. This kind act spread quickly among the villagers, who soon learned of the Woodman’s newfound wealth and sought similar fortune for themselves. However, the villagers attempted to deceive Mercury by hiding their own axes and feigning loss in the hope of receiving golden axes as well. They called out to Mercury, and he responded to each one, showing them the golden axes. To their dismay, Mercury recognized their dishonesty and did not grant them the reward they sought. Ultimately, when the villagers later returned to reclaim their lost axes, they found that their own axes had mysteriously disappeared, teaching them a hard lesson about dishonesty. The story reflects the enduring moral lessons found in fables attributed to Aesop, emphasizing the virtues of honesty and integrity, while illustrating the consequences of deceitful behavior. The narrative serves as a reminder that True rewards come from being honest rather than attempting to gain from dishonesty or deception. The fable also showcases the character of Mercury, a figure known for his kindness and quick justice, reinforcing the idea that divine intervention favors those who exhibit moral righteousness, rather than those who are willing to deceive for personal gain.