Otto's Tales Story Time: The Honest Woodman

Introduction

• Host: Jill
• Theme: A fable about honesty
• Mention of finding money and the importance of returning it.

Summary of the Fable

Setting

• Lush green wood with a sparkling river
• Main character: A woodcutter (woodman) who works hard for his family

Character Background

• The woodman:
  • Works daily to provide for his wife and children
  • Grateful for health and family
  • Proud owner of an old steel axe given by his father

Key Events

1. The woodman is working diligently, chopping a large tree.
2. He takes a break and accidentally drops his axe into the river.
3. Distraught, he worries about how he will provide for his family without it.
4. A water fairy appears and offers to help.
   • First Offering: A silver axe (not his)
   • Second Offering: A gold axe (not his)
   • Final Offering: His old steel axe (this is his)
5. The fairy gifts him the silver and gold axes as rewards for his honesty.

Conclusion

• The woodman returns home happy, thinking about how he can provide for his family with the new axes.
• Lesson: The importance of honesty and integrity.

Key Takeaways

• Honesty is rewarded.
• Doing the right thing brings pride and strengthens communities.
• Jill praises Otto for his honesty about finding money and emphasizes the real rewards of honesty.

Closing Remarks

• Encouragement to continue reading and being honest.
• Thanks to supporters for making the stories possible.