$JES 203 First Step of Jainism Level 2 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 87

The woodcutter looked and gasped in surprise. "Oh, no!" he replied. "This one is made of gold! It is worth many more times than my axe."
THE HONEST WOODCUTTER
"It is yours," said the water fairy, "and so are the other two axes. They are gifts from the river because you were honest and told the truth."
The water fairy laid the golden axe on the bank. Once again she went below the surface. Up she rose. This time she had the missing metal axe. "That is mine!” cried the woodcutter. "That honesty. He and his family would be able to live happily and comfortably. is surely my axe!"
That evening the woodcutter walked home with the three axes on his shoulder. He sang happily as he thought of all the good things he would be able to do because of his
THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
87
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