BOOK REVIEW-10 Mercury and the Woodcutter

I introduce this story this week. Because I like this story.

One day, there was a woodcutter. He cut the woods everyday. And he had a very good axe which his father gave to him. It had a beautiful wooden handle and a strong, sharp head. He went to the deep forest. There was a tree near the river. When he cut the tree, his axe fell into the river. He was very sad. Suddenly, the river god appeared. He was Mercury. Mercury said, “Is this yours?” He had a golden axe. The woodcutter said, “No, it is.” Mercury dived, and he had a silver axe next. “Is this yours?” he asked. The woodcutter said no. He dived, and he had the woodcutter's axe. The woodcutter was very honesty, and he said, “That is mine.” Then, Mercury gave him the golden axe and the silver axe together. The woodcutter thanks to him. Next day, the woodcutter saw a friend. And he talked about happening. His friend's woodcutter went to the river soon, and he dropped his axe into the river on purpose. And then, Mercury appeared, and he had a golden axe. He said, “Is this yours?” The woodcutter answered, “Yes! It's mine!” Suddenly, Mercury was very angry. He hated dishonesty. He said, “I will not give you axe, or your axe!” And Mercury disappeared. The woodcutter lost his axe, and he returned his town. He talked about this story everyone.

This story is very famous story. It is Aesop story. Its name is a golden axe and a silver axe in Japan. I have heard this story in young time. This story taught me to be honest. We should be honesty always.

(286w)