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MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN.
A Man felling a tree in a river aide, let his hatchet fall into the water, when Mercury, appeared unto him, and learning the matter, dived to the bottom, and brought up first a golden hatchet and then a silver one, but the man said neither of them were his. He then brought up the man’s own hatchet, which he took thankfully, and Mercury, pleased with his honesty, gave him the other two also. Another man hearing of this, went to cut there, and let his hatchet sink. Mercury came again and brought up a golden hatchet, which the man said was his; but for telling such a lie, Mercury neither gave him it, nor let him have his own.
MORAL. - Honesty is the best policy.
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THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.
A certain man had a Goose that laid him a golden egg every day; but not contented with this which rather increased than abated his avarice, he was resolved to kill the Goose and cut up her belly, so that he might come at the inexhausible treasure which he fancied she had within her. He did so, and to his great disappointment found nothing.
MORAL.
Avarice is often its own punishment.
