[伊索寓言] 丢斧子的人

Mercury and the Woodcutter

While chopping down a tree on the bank of a river, a woodcutter let his ax slip by chance into the water, and it immediately sank to the bottom.  This accident upset him so much that he sat down by the side of the stream and lamented(痛惜) his carelessness with bitter tears...

"That's mine!" said the woodsman, delighted to have recovered his ax.  And, so pleased was Mercury with the woodcutter's honesty that he promptly gave him the other two as presents.

...Mercury appeared as he had once before, and upon hearing that the man was crying because he had lost his ax, he dived into the river...

...when Mercury not only refused to give this ax to him but would not even return his own.  Thus the man was soundly punished for his lying and impudence(无礼).

Honesty is the best policy.