The Wind and the Sun

High above the earth, the North Wind and the Sun were having a terrible argument. "I am the strongest!" howled the Wind, rattling the clouds. "No, I am!" laughed the Sun, shining brighter than ever. They argued and argued until, at last, they decided to settle it with a contest.

Down below, a traveler was walking along a country road, wrapped snugly in a thick woolen coat.

"Let us see who can make that traveler take off his coat," said the Sun. "Whoever succeeds is the stronger."

The Wind's Turn

The Wind went first. He puffed out his cheeks and blew with all his might. Whoosh! The trees bent, the dust flew, and the traveler's coat flapped wildly. But the traveler only pulled his coat tighter around himself and held his hat down with both hands.

The Wind blew harder and harder, until his face turned purple. Still the traveler clutched his coat and marched on. At last, the Wind gave up, tired and out of breath.

The Sun's Turn

The Clouds Watch

As the contest went on, the clouds gathered round to watch. "The Wind will surely win," whispered a grey cloud. "Look how strong he blows! Nothing can stand against him." A small white cloud shook her head. "Strength is not everything," she said softly.

Down on the road, the traveler wiped the sweat from his brow. "What strange weather!" he muttered. "First a freezing gale, and now this burning heat!" He loosened his scarf, then unbuttoned his coat, letting it hang open as he walked.

The Wind watched in disbelief as the coat flapped open. "He never did that for me!" he grumbled. The small white cloud giggled. "That is because you gave him a reason to hold on tighter, while the Sun gave him a reason to let go."

The Wind bowed his head. "You have taught me something today," he admitted. "From now on, I will try to be gentle too." And from that day, the Wind and the Sun became the best of friends, taking turns to look after the world below.

Now it was the Sun's turn. He did not roar or rage. He simply began to shine, warm and gentle, upon the road. Soft golden light spread over the fields. The air grew warm and sweet.

Soon the traveler began to feel hot. He loosened his coat. A few steps later, he wiped his brow. And then, with a happy sigh, he took off his coat altogether and sat down in the shade of a tree to rest.

The Gentle Winner

The Wind watched in amazement. "How did you do it?" he asked. The Sun smiled. "Force only makes people hold on tighter," he said. "Warmth and kindness open what force cannot."

Moral of the Story

Gentleness and kindness persuade more than harsh force. A warm heart is stronger than a loud voice.