The Woodcutter's Gift
Once upon a time, in a small village nestled amidst a lush forest, lived an old and wise woodcutter named Jensen. Unlike other villagers who were primarily focused on farming, Jensen earned his livelihood by cutting down trees and selling the timber. He lived alone, his family having left for the city in search of a modern lifestyle. It was just him, his small hut, and the thick forest that surrounded them.
On a fateful rainy morning, as Jensen lifted his ax to fell a tree, he suddenly heard a soft whimpering. He turned his head and saw a small bunny trapped under a bush, its leg stuck between two rocks. Jensen's heart softened; with careful hands and gentle words, he freed the bunny and looked after it until it was strong enough to hop away.
Little did Jensen know that the bunny was actually a mythical creature known as the 'Forest Spirit.' The next morning, as he started his work, the little bunny appeared again. But this time, instead of presenting itself as an injured creature, it transformed into a brilliant, shimmering essence. The experience was surreal, and Jensen was in awe. The Spirit thanked him for his kindness and wished to reward him with a magical gift.
The gift was a golden ax that could cut any tree branch with a mere swing in the air, promising to make his job easier so he could continue his kindness towards the other beings of the forest. Overwhelmed by the gift, Jensen kindly accepted it.
Soon, word about the golden ax spread in the entire village. The village head, ridden by greed, demanded Jensen to give the ax to him. He plotted to use the magical ax to cut down the entire forest and become rich by selling the timber. But Jensen, being wise and humble, knew the grave consequence of such an act. He refused, enraging the village head, who then decided to take the ax by force.
One righteous villager warned Jensen about the head's evil plan, allowing him to devise a strategy. He carried the golden ax to the spot where he had found the bunny and, with tears in his eyes, he asked the Forest Spirit to take its gift back. The Spirit, understanding Jensen’s selfless act, accepted the ax and instructed him to gather all the villagers at the center of the forest the next dawn.
The following day, as the villagers gathered, including the village head, the Forest Spirit appeared. It revealed itself and the story of Jensen's kindness. It ended its revelation by transforming the ax into a golden tree in front of everyone's eyes. This golden tree produced fruits that could feed the entire village, eliminating the need to cut down trees for food or income.
The villagers were shocked and then filled with immense respect for Jensen. The village head, filled with shame, apologized for his greed. Jensen, with his kind heart, forgave him and everyone lived in harmony henceforth, never again believing in exploiting the forest but living along with it.
This story taught the villagers the importance of sustainability, the value of kindness, and that greed can only lead to irreversible damage. The golden tree stands as a reminder to everyone about Jensen’s wisdom and the Forest Spirit’s powerful message.