The Honest Woodcutter Story
These the honest woodcutter story printables help children read, retell and discuss a simple moral tale about truthfulness. They suit children aged 4 to 12 and are free to print for home or classroom use.
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At a glance
- Ages: 4 to 12
- Skills: Reading, sequencing, values and writing
- You need: Printed pages, pencils and crayons
- Time: 15 to 30 minutes
The story of the honest woodcutter
A poor woodcutter worked beside a river. One day, his iron axe slipped from his hands and fell into the water. He sat sadly on the bank. A river spirit appeared and brought up a golden axe. The woodcutter said it was not his. The spirit then showed him a silver axe, but he gave the same answer. At last, the spirit brought his old iron axe. The woodcutter smiled because it was his own. Pleased with his honesty, the spirit gave him all three axes. The woodcutter returned home feeling grateful. Lesson: Always tell the truth, even when a reward may tempt you.
Read, retell and talk together
Read the honest woodcutter story slowly, pausing when the axe falls and when the woodcutter sees each new axe. Ask your child what they think he will do before turning the page. Talk about how he may have felt when he lost his tool and why he refused the gold and silver axes. Younger children can name the colours and put picture cards in order. Older children can explain the difference between being honest because someone is watching and being honest when nobody may know. You can also compare its lesson with Moral Stories for Kids and ask which choices the characters make.
Activities after the story
Use the printable sequence activity for your child to arrange the main events, then ask them to retell the tale using first, next and finally. Children can colour the three axes and label them iron, silver and gold. Older learners can write a short diary entry from the woodcutter's point of view or make a two-column chart of honest and dishonest choices. For a home link, talk about a small real-life situation such as finding a pencil that belongs to someone else. Finish with a role-play in which one child is the woodcutter and another is the river spirit.
Lumi's tips
- For younger children, read the sentences aloud and use the axe pictures to help them remember the order.
- For older children, ask them to write a different ending and explain how it changes the lesson.
- Keep the story connected to daily life by praising truthful choices such as returning a lost object or admitting a mistake.
How to download and print
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Questions parents ask
What is the moral of the honest woodcutter story?
The story teaches that honesty matters more than gaining a valuable object. Truthful choices can build trust.
Who is the main character in the honest woodcutter story?
The main character is a poor woodcutter who loses his iron axe in a river and refuses to claim axes that do not belong to him.
Why did the woodcutter receive the gold and silver axes?
The river spirit rewarded him after he honestly identified only his own iron axe. He did not ask for the extra axes.
Is the honest woodcutter story suitable for nursery children?
Yes. Read a short version aloud and focus on the pictures, the three axes and the idea of telling the truth. Older children can read and write about the lesson.
How do I download or print these story activities?
Create a free EarlyActivity account to download the printables. The PDF files can be printed for use at home or in your own classroom.
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