The Woodcutter’s Ax

◆ Cast

♣ The Woodcutter

♣ The Water God

♣ The Friend

Scene 1

(In the woods. The Woodcutter is cutting woods. He is working hard.)

Woodcutter: Oh, no, the ax went off the handle. There is a pond, and it’s falling into it. What am I going to do? I can’t work without my ax. What will my poor family eat?

(He sits down by the pond and cries. The Water God comes out of the pond.)

Water God: Who are you?

Woodcutter: I am the poor Woodcutter.

Water God: Why are you crying so sadly?

Woodcutter: Because my ax fell into the pond. I can’t work without it. My poor family will be hungry.

Water God: Wait! I’ll find it for you.

Woodcutter: Thank you, sir.

(The Water God goes into the pond, and comes out again. He has a

gold ax in his hand.)

Water God: Is this your ax?

Woodcutter: No, sir. Mine is an old one.

(The Water God goes in again. This time he comes out with a silver ax.)

Water God: Then is this yours?

Woodcutter: No, sir. That is not mine.

(The Water God goes in, and comes out with the Woodcutter’s old ax.)

Water God: What about this one?

Woodcutter: Thank you, sir. That is mine. I am so happy.

Water God: You are a good man. I know you are telling the truth. For that, I will give you the gold ax and the silver ax, too. Take them.

Woodcutter: Thank you very much. You are very kind.

(The Water God goes back into the pond.)

Scene 2

(In the village. The Woodcutter is showing his friend the gold and

silver axes.)

Woodcutter: Look at these axes!

Friend: Where did you get them? Are you really gold and silver?

Woodcutter: Yes, of course. The Water God gave them to me. My ax fell into the pond. I cried, because I could not work. He came out gave them to me.

Friend: Just like that?

Woodcutter: Yes, it was like a dream.

Friend: Where was the pond?

Woodcutter: It is in the woods.

Friend: The one near the big rock?

Woodcutter: Yes, that’s the one.

Friend: You were very lucky.

Woodcutter: Yes, I was. He was very kind.

(They go home together.)

Scene 3

(In the woods. By the pond.)

Friend: I want to get gold and silver axes, too. I’ll throw this old ax into the pond. (He throw it into the pond, and cries.) Oh, my ax. Boo-hoo-hoo..... Please, God, help me.

(The Water God comes out of the pond.)

Water God: Who is crying this time? Why are you crying?

Friend: I am a poor woodcutter. My ax fell into the pond. I have no money. I can’t work without it.

Water God: I will find it for you. (The Water God goes into the pond. He comes out again with a gold ax.) Is this your ax?

Friend: Yes, sir, it is my ax.

Water God: You are telling lie. You are a bad man. Good-Bye.

Friend: But wait, then please give me my ax. (But Water God is not there.) I don’t even have my old ax. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.