Why Honesty Hurts?

By Mohammed Shahezama

Unveiling the True Cost of Selflessness

• Author: Mohammed Shahezama 

• Short Story.

• Genre : Fiction, Philosophical fiction

• Word Count: 4800.

  
  

About the Author:

Mohammed Shahezama is an aspiring writer from Mysore, Karnataka, India, with a passion for mystery, supernatural, and philosophical fiction. He previously published Misconception – Redefining Reality with Writer’s Pocket and strives to craft engaging, thought-provoking stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Why Honesty Hurts?

Unveiling the True Cost of Selflessness

It was 11:00 AM, and Neil was stomping upstairs, heading toward the college library. An 18-year-old computer science student, Neil excelled in his studies and technology but displayed little emotion or empathy for others. Since finishing high school, he had developed a strong dislike for weekends and holidays, which he associated with crowds, making new friends, and engaging in traditional practices like greeting relatives he didn’t care about.

This attitude hadn’t always been the case. Until high school, Neil had been a kind boy with a sense of empathy, always eager to help others, even when it didn’t benefit him.

So why was Neil angrily stomping toward the library? He had come to college to learn new things, unlike most of his peers. However, he had forgotten that today was a special day at the Prime College of Technology. Although it was a public college, it had a strong reputation. A wealthy guest, Mr. Ron Tungsten, was visiting to consider funding the college, and all students were required to attend the event in the auditorium for a chance to meet him.

Neil had no interest in such gatherings where he would have to fake smiles. Instead, he sought the library to find books about AI, hoping to create his own AI assistant. With everyone, including the librarian, in the auditorium, Neil browsed the bookshelves alone.

After searching various sections, he finally found the book he needed. As he began reading while walking to a desk, he accidentally bumped into a woman, causing her to drop all her papers and materials. She appeared to be in her thirties—fit and healthy, with red hair and dark eyes. Despite the situation, she remained calm, smiled, and said, “I’m sorry; I should have been more aware of my surroundings.”

Feeling guilty, Neil replied, “I’m really sorry. It’s my fault. I expected everyone to be in the auditorium. Let me help you with that.” He knelt to gather the scattered papers.

The woman joined him, saying, “It’s no problem, and I’m glad to see you’re quite the young gentleman.”

“Thank you, I guess,” Neil responded awkwardly.

After collecting the papers and handing them to her, Neil sat at the nearest desk to read his book. The woman approached him and said, “Hi, I’m Rhodope. And who might you be?”

“Hello, I’m Neil,” he replied.

“Well, you don’t talk much, do you?” Rhodope asked.

“I’m sorry, but I believe in studying rather than idle chatter. So, would you mind? I’d rather not waste my time,” Neil replied.

“Aren’t you an interesting fellow,” Rhodope said, sitting next to him. “First, you bump into me and apologize like a gentleman, then switch to rude mode when I compliment you.”

“See, I rarely visit the library, but I’m pretty sure chatting and speaking loudly aren’t allowed here,” Neil retorted.

“Well, that’s true, but today everyone is in the auditorium to meet the special guest. Why aren’t you?” Rhodope asked.

“Because I’m not interested. I’d rather do something productive than listen to some Aesop die-hard fan!” Neil replied.

“That’s interesting; you don’t like Aesop and his fables,” Rhodope said, continuing, “and that’s why you switched to rude mode when you saw I was carrying research papers on Aesop’s fables!”

“Wow, great. Now I’m pretty sure you’re a psychology professor trying to show off,” Neil responded sarcastically.

"That's rude, but I understand that when people are frustrated, they sometimes say nonsensical things, so you’re forgiven," Rhodope replies. Noticing that Neil is engrossed in his book and not paying attention, she adds, "Well, I should take these Aesop papers to the auditorium. The special guest needs them for his speech." With that, she leaves the library.

After a while, she returns and finds that Neil is no longer at the desk. She looks around and discovers him trying to enter the computer room. His smart ID card keeps getting denied at the door.

"What's wrong with this card?" Neil mumbles to himself in frustration.

"Well, you know, based on the special guest’s request, all access to computers and the internet is prohibited today for safety," Rhodope says as she approaches him. Ignoring her, Neil pulls out his mobile phone, but she continues, "And all networks are blocked for a few hours for the same reason."

Neil shoots her an annoyed glance before heading back to the table to pack his bag.

"Where are you going?" Rhodope asks.

"There's nothing left to do here. The library is useless without computers or internet access, so I'm leaving to go home where I can at least use my computer," Neil replies.

"That’s going to be a problem," Rhodope responds.

"What do you mean?" Neil asks, puzzled.

"Well, you see, the library door can be opened from outside by students and staff with their smart ID cards, but to open it from inside, you need assistance from a guard or the librarian," Rhodope explains.

"I know that. That’s why the door is always open—to avoid bothering the librarian too often," Neil says. Then, noticing Rhodope's guilty expression, he adds, "Don’t tell me you closed the door from inside."

"Well, I actually did that," Rhodope admits.

"OMG! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Neil exclaims.

"Don’t you think it’s rude to speak to your elders that way?" Rhodope replies.

"I’m already angry, and please don’t lecture me about respect. Of all the outdated traditions, that’s the one I dislike the most. Why should I respect someone just because they were born before me?" Neil retorts angrily.

"Okay, Neil, please calm down. I understand your anger stems from something unresolved, and this isn’t really about the library being locked. You know that the IT staff comes around every few hours to check if anyone is trapped behind this electronic door, just in case," Rhodope reassures him.

Frustrated, Neil stomps around and says, "You know what? You are the worst person I’ve ever met. Why do people like Aesop? He just told silly stories that don’t reflect the real world..." Before he can finish his sentence, he trips on an uneven floorboard, hits his head, and passes out.

When Neil regains consciousness, he feels a bump on his head and notices that his ankle is slightly twisted, making it hard for him to even stand up. Dizziness washes over him as he sees that Rhodope has made him comfortable, applying a pain plaster to his head and ankle from the first aid box in the library. Touched by her kindness, Neil feels guilty for his earlier rudeness. "I’m really sorry for how I behaved, and thank you so much for your kindness, Ms. Rhodope," he says sincerely.

"Well, it seems that bump on your head has made you a gentleman," Rhodope replies with a smile.

"To be honest, everything you said was true. Maybe that’s why I snapped," Neil admits.

"What do you mean?" Rhodope asks.

"Well, I wasn't always like this. I liked being kind to people, but..." Neil trails off.

"But what?" Rhodope prompts.

"It’s not a great story, and I really don’t want to make this about me. You’ve already done enough for a stranger," says Neil.

"Hey, I’m stuck here until the IT guy arrives, so your story might help pass the time. Besides, if the door opens on its own, I'm not carrying you, so you’d better hope it’s long enough to keep us occupied until he shows up," Rhodope says with a smirk. She adds, "So, why do you have issues with Aesop’s fables?"

Neil smiles. "I think that’s a good place to start. When I was in high school, I realized I had a knack for computers, networking, and programming. I enjoyed technical classes like science and math, but I found non-technical ones, like political science and ethics, harder to connect with. One day, I picked up an ethics textbook just to pass the time, even though I’d ignored it before since it was filled with stories for little kids. But as I read, I found the morals surprisingly interesting and relevant to life, and that’s when I started reading Aesop’s Fables."

"Okay, I don’t see a problem so far," Rhodope says.

"At first, I loved the fables, especially 'Honesty is the Best Policy,' with the story of the woodcutter who, after choosing his old iron axe, is rewarded by a river spirit with golden and silver ones as well. I started applying this moral wherever I could. Initially, it felt good and seemed to work, but as I got older, I realized that being honest often led to more trouble than it was worth. People aren’t always ready for the truth, even if it could help them," Neil explains.

"Can you give an example? I’m not sure I follow," Rhodope asks.

"Sure. I was ahead of the curriculum in computers, but I always respected my teachers and waited patiently during lessons. One day, in the computer lab, our teacher was demonstrating file compression. I noticed he was about to compress files on the OS drive, which would corrupt it. I interrupted him and advised against it, but he scolded me in front of the class and insisted we follow his instructions. Everyone did, and all the computers ended up with crashed operating systems. The headmaster got involved, and when asked, I told the truth. The teacher got reprimanded and spent the next week fixing the computers," Neil recounts.

"Rookie mistake," Rhodope says. "He’s your teacher; you shouldn’t have called him out in front of everyone."

Neil sighs. "I Know. After he worked late fixing some of the computers over the first two days, there were still many left to be fixed. I felt bad and just wanted to help. So, I created and offered a small application to quickly reinstall the OS. The teacher agreed, and one day he asked if I could stay after hours to help, as he had some personal matters to attend to. I agreed, thinking I was doing a good deed. 

Everything went smoothly, and I restored the OS on all the computers. But the next day, I was summoned to the headmaster’s office. The teacher accused me of tampering with the computers, saying that the ones he had fixed so far also crashed. He pointed to CCTV footage showing me working after hours as proof. I was suspended for a week, and my parents were called in. For the rest of high school, everyone looked at me like I was guilty”

"So, after that, you just kept to yourself and focused on your work?" Rhodope asks.

"Exactly. Now, in college, even when professors invite us to correct errors, I stay quiet. Also, I tried helping other students with their projects, but some sabotaged my work and blamed me for the issues. That’s when I realized that honesty and altruism aren’t always appreciated. And that’s why I stopped putting much stock in Aesop’s morals," Neil explains.

"So, basically, you dislike Aesop because his lessons backfired on you. And you’re not a fan of Mr. Tungsten, either, because apart from being a successful businessman, he’s passionate about researching Aesop. Did I get that right?" Rhodope asks.

"Pretty much," Neil replies.

"Seriously?" Rhodope says, incredulous. "You stopped being nice to people and became this 'jerk' version of yourself because a teacher and a few idiots turned on you? That’s ridiculous."

"Whoa, calm down," Neil replies. "I know it might not seem like a big deal, but it was huge for me. After that incident, no one believed me, and people looked at me like a convict. Also, aren’t psychology professors supposed to be calm and non-judgmental?"

"You’re right," Rhodope replies, embarrassed. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t judge you. You went through it, so you know best."

"That’s okay. But why did you react like that?" Neil asks.

"Well, you’re not the only person to question Aesop’s honesty fable. Many people have, and they’ve reached out to Mr. Tungsten, who has a blog about his research," Rhodope explains.

"That’s not what I asked," Neil replies.

"I know, but I was getting to it. Tungsten offers insight on why honesty sometimes backfires. So, would you like to hear his perspective?"

"I didn’t ask for it, but sure. I’m all ears, and it’s your turn for the story anyway," Neil says.

"Great. Do you know Ignaz Semmelweis?" Rhodope asks.

"I’ve heard the name. He’s somehow connected to antiseptic practices, right?"

"Yes, without his discovery in the mid-19th century, many new mothers might have died from infections during childbirth," Rhodope explains.

"Whoa, sounds like he was an incredible doctor. What exactly did he discover?" Neil asks.

"I’m surprised you haven’t heard of him," Rhodope says. "But anyway, Semmelweis found that the high mortality rate from puerperal, or childbed-fever in maternity wards was due to doctors and medical students carrying infectious material from autopsies to the patients they examined. To prevent this, he introduced handwashing with chlorinated lime solutions, which brought the mortality rate down from 18% to less than 2%," she explains.

"Amazing! This doctor was a genius. He realized that something as simple as clean hands could save lives and prevent infections. Just think of how many other illnesses he helped prevent with that discovery. I like him already," Neil responds enthusiastically.

"Well, that’s the tragedy, Neil. Despite his revolutionary discovery, Semmelweis was ridiculed and opposed by the medical community of his time. His ideas weren’t accepted, and he was eventually committed to an asylum, where he died," Rhodope replies, her voice low with disappointment.

"What? Why!? He was trying to save lives, to prevent children from losing their mothers!" Neil exclaims, his voice filled with emotion.

Rhodope’s eyes well up, and she responds softly with a slight smile, “Do you still feel that your own experience was the worst outcome for being honest and trying to help others?”

Neil’s voice lowers. "No, definitely not. I think I get why you reacted that way earlier."

"Only after his death did Semmelweis’s findings receive the recognition they deserved," Rhodope continues. "His efforts eventually became foundational to antiseptic practices in medicine. But during his life, he faced professional isolation and personal tragedy."

"That’s so heart-breaking," Neil says, reflecting. "I have so much respect for Dr. Semmelweis now. But can you tell me how this ties into my question about Aesop’s fables?"

"Well, you need to have patience. This is how he explained his perspective in his blog," Rhodope explains and continues, "Semmelweis was honest and tried to help people, yet he faced scorn and, ultimately, a tragic fate. 

Many others—whistle-blowers, journalists, human rights activists—often face retaliation, threats, and persecution for standing up for the truth. Even in everyday life, people can face consequences for honesty; some lose their jobs for reporting unethical practices or speaking out against wrongdoings."

"I never thought of it that way," Neil admits. "There really are so many people working quietly to make the world a better place."

Rhodope nods. "Now, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead," Neil responds.

"We still see people like that today," Rhodope begins. "Think about it—don’t you think they might be aware of figures like Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis and his tragic end?" Rhodope inquires.

"Yeah, I guess they might know about them," Neil replies.

"Did that knowledge stop them from doing what was right?" Rhodope asks.

"No. Even though they knew they'd face serious consequences, they kept going and never stopped doing what was right!" Neil says with conviction.

"Exactly," Rhodope agrees. "While honesty can lead to trouble, it often builds trust and respect over time. It’s not about the reward; it’s about having the courage to stand up for what's right."

"That’s a powerful perspective. Did Mr. Tungsten write all this? I didn’t realize he had such deep views. But my question remains—why didn’t Aesop mention this in his fables? Why does he always show rewards in the end?" Neil asks.

"Good question, and I do have an answer, thanks to Mr. Tungsten’s blog," Rhodope replies.

"Would you mind explaining?" Neil asks.

"Of course! According to Mr. Tungsten’s research, the original version of the woodcutter's story, ‘Honesty is the Best Policy,’ is actually different from the one we read today!" Rhodope says.

"What do you mean, the original version? Are you saying the story was fabricated?" Neil asks, intrigued.

"Well, ‘changed’ is more accurate than ‘fabricated.’ Allow me to tell you the original story," Rhodope replies.

"Please, go ahead. Maybe it’s just your way to answer questions when you’re ready," Neil teases.

She smiles and begins:

“There once was a poor woodcutter who lived alone, far from the nearest village, near a dense forest. His only way to make a living was to cut down trees each day and sell the wood to the villagers for whatever small amount they could pay. He had been outcast from the village long ago because he’d once been friends with some thieves who looted the town. Though he swore he had no part in the crime, the villagers blamed him and cast him aside. Only a few villagers believed in his innocence and still traded with him.

Every evening, he returned to his small, crooked house made of wood, which often bore damage from passing villagers who cursed him as they went by. He had grown used to the treatment, but his deepest regret was not being able to make a difference in the villagers’ lives. He wanted to help, to bring some good, but instead, he felt that he’d become an outcast and a burden. Day by day, he wondered if his life had any purpose, feeling like he was of no help to anyone—not to himself, nor to a single person in the village."

One fine day, like any other, the woodcutter, armed with his worn iron axe, went into the forest to cut down trees. He was not feeling well that day; he had been earning very little for his wood and was suffering from malnutrition as a result of not having enough to eat. With less energy than usual, he swung his axe, but it slipped from his grasp and fell into the river.

The axe was his only companion since his exile from the village, and losing it to the river shattered him. All his frustration, guilt, and the pain of enduring the villagers' hatred surged forth as tears. Overwhelmed, he cried out in despair.

After some time, he fainted. When he awoke, a bright light surrounded him. Slowly opening his eyes, he noticed a radiant spirit emerging from the water, waiting for him to regain consciousness. Astonished and surprised, he felt a surge of panic, but before he could flee, the spirit spoke.

“Don’t worry, human. I mean you no harm.”

The spirit’s calm, gentle voice eased his nervousness, allowing him to regain composure. He managed to ask, “Who are you?”

“I am a spirit tasked with helping those in need,” the spirit replied.

The spirit appeared human, with an attractive, radiant form, resembling a mermaid, her body adorned with green vines, indicating her connection to nature. The woodcutter was mesmerized, unsure of how to respond. After a moment of awkward silence, the spirit broke it by asking, “How can I help you?”

“Well, you see, I lost my only axe in the river, and without it, I can’t earn the little money I usually do,” the woodcutter explained.

“No worries; let me retrieve it for you.” The spirit then dove into the river. After a short while, she resurfaced and offered the woodcutter a silver axe.

“That's a very expensive axe; however, it’s not mine. Would you mind looking for my axe?” the woodcutter requests.

The spirit dives into the river again and returns with a golden axe.

“That’s even more expensive! And, of course, it’s not mine. Would you mind looking for my old iron axe instead?” the woodcutter asks the spirit once more.

The spirit submerges herself in the river again and finally retrieves the woodcutter’s actual axe. However, when the woodcutter gratefully accepts it, the spirit is impressed by his honesty and offers him all three axes.

Before Rhodope can finish her narration, Neil interrupts. “Hold on, this is almost the same story, with just a few changes to the woodcutter’s backstory.”

“Please have some patience. I’m getting to the important part now,” Rhodope replies.

“Okay, then go ahead,” Neil responds.

“So, where was I? Right, the spirit offered him all three axes. The woodcutter recognized this as a great opportunity. He could sell the axes for a good amount of money, enough to travel elsewhere and possibly start anew. But the woodcutter’s life was filled with guilt over the villagers’ loss, and he blamed himself for their suffering. He decided that the silver and gold axes could help the villagers, even in a small way.

As he contemplated the axes, feeling a sense of satisfaction and happiness at the thought of helping others, he noticed tears in the spirit’s eyes. This sight brought tears to the woodcutter’s own eyes, as he felt the spirit's pain—a pain like knowing you were about to receive something you had longed for, only to have it taken away at the last moment. Just then, he heard a voice echoing throughout the forest:

“Please return this reward, and you will be responsible for someone’s freedom, giving someone a new life.”

After hearing this, the woodcutter replied without hesitation, “Thank you for the reward, but I would like to return it to you. I have a strange feeling that this could help someone in need.”

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” the spirit asks.

“Yes, of course. Please go ahead,” the woodcutter replies.

In the next moment, a brilliant light envelops the spirit, who approaches the riverbank opposite where the woodcutter stands and transforms into a beautiful but strong women, resembling a treasure hunter. The women appears joyful as she sees her reflection in the water. She turns to the woodcutter and says,

“I was a treasure hunter a century ago, and I betrayed my best friend for silver and gold. As punishment, the forest turned me into a spirit, tasked with helping those in need. I could only be freed from this curse if someone with a truly altruistic heart returned the reward. Thank you.”

With that, the treasure hunter waves goodbye and continues on her journey. A smile sparkles on the woodcutter’s face; he no longer feels guilty about anything. Instead, he feels a profound sense of peace.”

Rhodope finishes her narration.

“Wow, that’s a huge turn of events! It’s a great story, but again, it has a happy ending. Let me remind you, you mentioned historical figures like Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who had a tragic end,” Neil responds.

“That’s true, and the story isn’t over yet,” Rhodope replies.

“Oh, you’re a very good storyteller! Please, go on,” Neil urges.

“Right after witnessing the altruistic act that the woodcutter had unknowingly performed, he felt relaxed and happy with himself. However, since he had lost his own axe, he was unable to search the forest as he usually would and was bitten by a venomous snake.

As he lay close to death, he saw a light in the sky, and a divine voice spoke:

“You have indeed done a good deed today, but to do something selfless for others, one must sacrifice something. That’s why honesty and acts of altruism require courage to face the worst consequences. However, you have a kind soul, so I offer you a choice: I can turn back time to when you were about to accept the three axes. You can accept them and live, but the spirit will remain trapped. What do you choose?”

The woodcutter replied, “In my life, this is the only thing I’ve done that I don’t regret. It is better to die helping others than to live a life of guilt. I accept my fate.”

"After a moment, the woodcutter’s soul departed his body, and he died with a smile of happiness on his face. The treasure hunter, now freed and grateful to the woodcutter for her new life, recovered the hidden treasure and donated all her riches to the nearest village." Rhodope concludes.

Neil’s eyes fill with tears. “That’s just like historical figures such as Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who had tragic deaths but whose contributions, initially unrecognized, changed countless lives and continue to save lives today.” 

He clears his throat and asks, “I have two more questions: How did Aesop come up with this story? Was it based on a real-life incident? And why isn’t this version available anywhere?”

“Well, it’s a far-fetched reason, but there are rumours that a personal diary of Aesop was found, in which he mentioned this story. According to the diary, Aesop met the woodcutter in a dream and narrated the tale,” Rhodope explains.

“Are you serious right now?” Neil asks sceptically.

“You cried over a story where a spirit becomes a person after a century, and you’re being sceptical about Aesop meeting the woodcutter in a dream? As I said, it’s just a rumour, but this is what the original version of the woodcutter’s tale says, according to Mr. Tungsten’s research,” Rhodope responds.

“Well, sorry to bother you again, but do you know why Aesop preferred stories for kids instead of this actual version?” Neil asks.

“Well, you see, Aesop was a slave, but due to his sharp mind and engaging storytelling, he managed to escape his captivity. 

"According to history, he later became an advisor to King Croesus of Lydia. When invited to present at the king’s palace for the first time, he wanted to impress the king with the original version of the Woodcutter’s story. However, the king preferred tales that were motivational and moral for the children of Lydia. So, Aesop revised the story to include a happy ending, believing that the original ending would be too complex and unsettling for children to grasp.

He hoped that one day, someone with a deep understanding of the world would seek answers and eventually find this diary, sharing the true tale about honesty as the best policy—emphasizing that honesty requires courage and the ability to face the potential consequences," Rhodope explains.

“Well, that’s a great version for adults, and I think everyone should be aware of this tale,” Neil replies.

"‘Then don’t forget to share this version of the story with anyone who might come to you with similar questions as you had earlier,’ says Rhodope.

‘Of course! I promise to share it with as many people as possible who reach out to me—if they truly want to know,’ responds Niel."

As he says this, Neil begins to feel heavy and closes his eyes. When he opens them again, he finds himself being awakened by an IT guy. He notices that Rhodope is no longer around and realizes he had fallen asleep at the desk while reading the book. To his relief, he stands up just fine, with no injuries on his head or ankle, and no bandages.

The IT guy helps Neil out of the library, and as they talk, Neil realizes he was only there for half an hour and had dozed off while reading.

Now, Neil has many questions: Was Rhodope even real, or had he just dreamed about her? After a lot of contemplation, he decides it doesn’t matter anymore. 

He now holds a new perspective and starts to believe in the idea that “honesty is the best policy” once again. However, he also understands that this belief is only for courageous people who know they will have to face severe consequences for their honesty and altruism. But that’s okay, because ultimately, they will impact society in a better way.

With this in mind, instead of heading home, Neil decides to go to the auditorium to see if he can meet Mr. Tungsten.

P.S.: Rhodope is mentioned as Aesop’s love interest in an ancient story titled "The History and Amours of Rhodope." Their love faces many challenges, including societal prejudices and rivals, but their bond remains strong. In the end, their love triumphs, and Aesop's enduring tales reflect the timeless values of love, integrity, and wit.

Dedication

To those who pursue truth and honesty against all odds, aware of the dangers yet unwavering in their mission—like Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who discovered the life-saving importance of hand hygiene and faced disbelief and opposition to protect others. This story is dedicated to all who value integrity: the journalists, activists, whistle-blowers, and countless others who risk much to stand up for what is right, believing that honesty, though challenging, is ultimately the most courageous path.

By Mohammed Shahezama