“The Golden Axe and the Silver Axe” is one of Korea’s classic folktales, delivering the moral lesson that honesty and hard work are greatly rewarded. This story is often read to children to instill moral values, and it has been loved for many generations in Korean society. Let’s take a closer look at the plot, the lesson, and its modern significance.
Summary of the Story
Once upon a time, there lived a poor but hardworking and honest woodcutter in a small village. He made a living by chopping wood in the mountains. One day, as he was cutting wood near a river, a terrible accident happened. The woodcutter accidentally dropped his only axe into the river. This axe was his only tool for work, and losing it left him heartbroken. He sat by the river and wept bitterly.
While the woodcutter was crying, a mountain spirit appeared from the river. The spirit asked him why he was crying. The woodcutter explained his situation honestly, saying that he had lost his axe while chopping wood and that now he had no way to make a living.
The mountain spirit was touched by the woodcutter’s honesty and decided to help him. The spirit dove into the water and came back with a golden axe, asking, “Is this golden axe the one you lost?” The woodcutter was momentarily amazed by the beautiful golden axe but quickly shook his head and replied, “No, my axe is an ordinary iron axe. This golden axe is not mine.” The spirit then went back into the water and returned with a silver axe. The spirit asked again, “Then, is this silver axe the one you lost?” The woodcutter shook his head once more and said, “No, the silver axe isn’t mine either. My axe is a simple iron one.” Finally, the spirit retrieved the woodcutter’s actual iron axe and asked, “Is this your axe?” The woodcutter was overjoyed and exclaimed, “Yes, this is the axe I lost!” The woodcutter got his axe back, proving his honesty.
The mountain spirit was so impressed by the woodcutter’s integrity that he rewarded him with not only his iron axe but also the golden and silver axes. The woodcutter returned to his village with all three axes and was no longer poor. He continued to work hard and spread the message of honesty to others, and his story became well-known in the village.
Watch the story in Korean!
The Moral of the Story
The key moral of this story is that honesty is the greatest virtue. The woodcutter was rewarded because he did not lie and acted truthfully about his situation. On the other hand, if he had been greedy and claimed the golden or silver axe as his own, he would not have received any reward. This story highlights that honesty and integrity will ultimately lead to good outcomes.
Modern Implication of the Story
Even in modern society, the lesson of “The Golden Axe and the Silver Axe” remains important. In today’s competitive and fast-changing world, honesty and integrity may sometimes seem less valuable than immediate success. However, as this story shows, being truthful builds trust and can lead to even greater rewards in the long run. In the workplace or in personal relationships, acting honestly and sincerely can be the foundation for long-term success.
“The Golden Axe and the Silver Axe” offers more than just a simple children’s tale—it provides a deep moral lesson. This folktale emphasizes that honesty and hard work can lead to great rewards, and its timeless message holds value today. As we navigate modern life, remembering the importance of honesty and sincerity is key to building a life of integrity.