While cutting a branch off a tree above a river, the woodcutter's axe fell into the water.
As he cried out, the Lord suddenly appeared and asked, "Why are you crying?"
The woodcutter told the Lord that his axe had fallen into the river.
The Lord went down into the water and reappeared with a golden axe. "Is this your axe?" He asked.
"No," replied the woodcutter.
The Lord went down into the water again and reappeared with a silver axe. "Is this your axe?" He asked.
Once more, the woodcutter replied, "No."
Again, the Lord went down into the water and came up with an iron axe. "Is this your axe?" the Lord asked.
"Yes," the woodcutter replied.
Pleased with the man's honesty, the Lord gave him all three axes to keep and the woodcutter went home happily.
The following day, while he was walking with his wife along the riverbank, the woodcutter's wife fell into the water.
When he cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked him, "Why are you crying?"
"Oh Lord, my wife has fallen into the water!" sobbed the woodcutter.
The Lord went down into the water and came up with Jennifer Lopez. "Is this your wife?" asked the Lord.
"Yes," cried the woodcutter.
Furious, the Lord roared, "You cheat! That is an untruth!"
"Oh, please forgive me, my Lord," the woodcutter pleaded. "It is a misunderstanding. You see, had I said 'No' to Jennifer Lopez, you would come have up with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Had I said 'No' to her, you would have come up with my wife and I would have said 'Yes'. Then, you would have given me all three. But Lord, I am a poor man and I am not able to take care of all three wives, so that is why I said 'Yes' the first time."
The moral of the story is ... Whenever a man lies, it is for an honorable and useful reason.

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