# The Woodcutter — Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit character guide

> The Woodcutter in Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit by S. M. Mitra.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0011-ix

## Snapshot

A poor woodcutter whose honest labor supports a happy family, until fortune's gifts test whether contentment can survive abundance.

## Who they are

The woodcutter lives simply, selling wood from the forest to feed his wife and children, and the tale lingers on his kindness as a father. His world is small and warm, which makes the troubles that follow feel personal rather than grand. He matters because his story opens the collection, establishing the pattern of ordinary people whose desires and choices become the raw material for moral instruction.

## Relationships

### [Fairies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/fairies)

_friendship_

The fairies guide and protect the Woodcutter, rewarding his honesty and kindness.

### [Subha Datta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/subha_datta)

_friendship_

Subha Datta and the Woodcutter are companions who share trials and help each other in times of need.

### [Fairies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/fairies)

_friendship_

The fairies guide and protect the Woodcutter, rewarding his honesty and kindness.

### [Subha Datta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/subha_datta)

_friendship_

Subha Datta and the Woodcutter are companions who share trials and help each other in times of need.

### [Fairies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/fairies)

_friendship_

The fairies guide and protect the Woodcutter, rewarding his honesty and kindness.

## In the story

### [Subha Datta's Return and the Hidden Pitcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as Subha Datta's wife, who is disappointed but believes his story.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xii)

Subha Datta's former colleagues who are invited to feasts and later try to uncover his secret.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xiii)

Subha Datta is the woodcutter; he is the central figure in this chapter.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xiv)

The dear old woman who helped Putraka; he forgets her entirely, and she gives up hope of seeing him again.

### [A Crow and His Three Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/a-crow-and-his-three-friends)

The crow, the protagonist who gets caught in the fowler's trap.

### [The Pigeons and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/i)

The wise old crow who watches the man set the trap.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/the_woodcutter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters