a) Write a story based on the following outline: A poor woodcutter finds a magical axe in the forest. [5]

In a small village nestled between the misty hills of Nepal, there lived a poor woodcutter named Ram. Every day, he would wake up before dawn, grab his old axe, and head into the dense forest to chop wood for firewood and sell at the market. Despite his hard work, Ram struggled to make ends meet, and his family often went to bed hungry.

One morning, as Ram trudged deeper into the forest, he stumbled upon a clearing where the trees were unusually thick. As he swung his axe to clear a path, it struck a large tree with a dull thud. To his surprise, the axe sank deep into the trunk, and when he pulled it out, he noticed something strange—the blade was not just sharp but seemed to glow faintly. Curious, he tested it on another branch,

Excited, Ram decided to keep the axe and continued his work. To his amazement, the magical axe made his job effortless. Trees that usually took hours to fell now came down in minutes. Ram’s heart leapt with joy as he realized he could now earn enough to feed his family and even save some money. He worked tirelessly, filling his cart with firewood in record time.

News of Ram’s good fortune spread quickly through the village. Soon, a greedy merchant named Mr. Sharma heard about the magical axe and approached Ram with an offer. ‘Sell me that axe, and I’ll give you enough gold to live comfortably for the rest of your life,’ Sharma said with a sly smile. Ram hesitated but eventually agreed, thinking of his family’s future.

That night, as Ram handed over the axe, he noticed a faint glow fading from the blade. The next morning, he woke up to find his cart empty and his family’s meager savings gone. He rushed to Sharma’s house, only to find the merchant laughing hysterically. ‘Fool! That axe was not just magical—it was enchanted! It only worked for those who used it with honesty and kindness,’ Sharma sneered. Ram reali

Heartbroken, Ram returned to the forest, determined to find the axe again. He searched for days, retracing his steps until he reached the same clearing. There, lying on the ground, was the magical axe, its glow brighter than ever. Ram picked it up, and this time, he felt a warmth in his heart. He knew he had to use it wisely, not for greed but for the good of his family and village.

From that day forward, Ram used the axe to help others. He built homes for the poor, provided firewood to those in need, and even planted trees to ensure the forest thrived. The villagers, grateful for his kindness, celebrated him as a hero. The magical axe, it seemed, had chosen Ram not for his wealth but for his heart.