Maya was poor but hard-working. Every day, she used a simple plain fishing rod to help the village. One morning by the river, the plain fishing rod slipped from her hand and splashed into the deep water.
Maya sat down on the bank and sighed. It was her only one. Suddenly, the water swirled, and Remy the unicorn rose from the waves, shining. ‘Why are you sad?’ he asked.
When Maya explained, Remy dived down and came up with a silver fishing rod. ‘Is this yours?’ Maya shook her head. ‘No, mine was plain.’ Remy dived again and came up with another. ‘No,’ said Maya, ‘it was wooden.’
The third time, Remy brought up the plain fishing rod. ‘That’s mine!’ said Maya, delighted. Remy smiled. ‘You told the truth three times, even when you could have lied. For that, you shall have all three.’
Maya went home with the plain fishing rod and the shiny gifts. She shared them with the village. And everyone said, ‘Honesty is the finest treasure of all.’
The little lesson
Honesty is always the best treasure.
Let’s talk about it
- Why was it hard to tell the truth?
- What reward did Maya get?
Finish stories to collect Maya as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Fables stories
Leo Drops Pebbles
Leo is thirsty, but the water is too low in the jug. A clever idea saves the day!
Yusuf Tells the Truth
Yusuf drops a tool in the river and is offered something much finer. Will he tell the truth?
Ruby and the Golden Axe
Ruby drops a tool in the river and is offered something much finer. Will she tell the truth?
You might also like
Pip Serves Up a Surprise
Pip is playing in her first tennis tournament against a much better opponent.
Opal and the Night of No Lights
When the power goes out across town, Opal and friends become the neighbourhood’s superheroes.
Jamal and the Time-Travelling Bike
Jamal finds an old bicycle in the shed that rides all the way back to the age of dinosaurs.