The Honest Blacksmith’s Apprentice

Once upon a time, there was a blacksmith who was known for his honesty and integrity. He had an apprentice who had been working with him for several years. The apprentice was hardworking and dedicated, but he had a problem – he was a compulsive liar.
The blacksmith had noticed that his apprentice had a tendency to exaggerate the truth and tell tall tales. He knew that this was not a good quality for a blacksmith to have, as it could lead to mistakes and accidents in the forge.
One day, the blacksmith received a large order for a set of armor from a wealthy knight. He knew that this was a big opportunity for his business, but he also knew that he could not trust his apprentice to handle the job on his own.
So, the blacksmith decided to put his apprentice’s honesty to the test. He gave him the task of forging the armor, but he also gave him a bag of gold coins and told him to deliver it to the knight.
The apprentice was thrilled to be given such an important task. He worked hard in the forge, forging the armor with great care and attention to detail. When it was finished, he packed it carefully and set out on his journey to deliver it to the knight.
As he was traveling, he came across a group of bandits who demanded that he hand over his bag of gold. The apprentice was terrified, but he remembered his master’s teachings about honesty and integrity. He told the bandits that the bag did not belong to him, but to the knight who had ordered the armor. The bandits were impressed by his honesty and let him go on his way.
When the apprentice finally arrived at the knight’s castle, he delivered the armor and the bag of gold. The knight was pleased with the quality of the armor and impressed by the apprentice’s honesty. He paid the blacksmith for the armor and gave the apprentice a generous tip for his honesty.
The blacksmith was proud of his apprentice and knew that he had passed the test. From that day on, the apprentice worked even harder in the forge and never told a lie again. He became known as the honest blacksmith’s apprentice and his reputation spread far and wide.

Moral

1. Honesty is the best policy: The story teaches us that honesty is always the best policy, even when it may seem easier to lie or cheat.
2. Hard work pays off: The apprentice’s dedication and hard work paid off in the end, as he was rewarded with a successful career and a happy life.
3. Trust is important: The blacksmith’s trust in his apprentice was essential to their successful partnership. Trusting others can lead to positive outcomes and build strong relationships.
4. Greed can lead to downfall: The dishonest apprentice’s greed led to his downfall, as he lost his job and reputation. This teaches us that greed and dishonesty can have negative consequences.
5. Integrity is valuable: The honest apprentice’s integrity and strong moral character were valued by the blacksmith and ultimately led to his success. Having strong values and integrity can lead to a fulfilling life.

Origin of the Story: Nigeria