The North Wind and the Sun

Part One · The Contest

High above the mountains, the North Wind and the Sun were having an argument. "I am the strongest thing in the whole wide world," boasted the North Wind, puffing out his big cheeks. "I can bend the tallest trees, and I can push the biggest ships across the ocean."

The Sun smiled patiently. "You are certainly very powerful," she said, "but being strong is not the only thing that matters." The North Wind snorted. "Ha! All you ever do is shine. You can't make anybody do anything. Let us have a contest, and then everyone will see who is stronger."

Just then, a traveler came walking along the winding road below them. He was wearing a heavy brown cloak over his shoulders. "There!" said the Sun. "Whoever can make that traveler take off his cloak will be the winner." "That is easy," laughed the North Wind. "I will go first, and it will be over in a minute."

The North Wind took an enormous breath, and he blew. Whoosh! A freezing gust went racing down the road. Leaves spun into the air, and the traveler's hat flew right off his head. The traveler shivered. He grabbed the edges of his cloak and pulled it tightly around his body.

"Just wait," grumbled the North Wind, and he blew even harder. WHOOSH! The trees bent over, and clouds of dust went swirling along the road. The traveler leaned forward and held on to his cloak with both hands. Then he wrapped it around himself a second time.

The North Wind blew harder and harder, until his face turned purple. He howled and roared like a terrible storm. Branches snapped, and the birds went tumbling across the sky. But the harder the North Wind blew, the tighter the traveler held on to his cloak. Finally the North Wind ran out of breath, and he gave up.

"Now it is my turn," said the Sun. She came out from behind a cloud and shone down gently on the fields. The air became calm and warm, and the birds began to sing again. The traveler stopped and looked up at the sky. He let go of his cloak a little, and he loosened it around his neck.

The Sun shone a little warmer. The traveler wiped his forehead with his sleeve. "My goodness, it is getting hot," he said. He unbuttoned his heavy cloak, took it off, and threw it over his arm. Then he continued down the road in the sunshine, whistling a happy tune.

Soon he came to a sparkling river, and the Sun shone warmer still. The traveler put his cloak down on the grass, pulled off his boots, and jumped into the cool water with a huge splash. "Ahh," he said, floating on his back. "What a beautiful afternoon!"

The North Wind looked down and grumbled. "All right," he admitted. "You win." The Sun smiled kindly at him. "You see," she said, "you tried to force him, and he only held on tighter. I was gentle and warm, so he decided to do it himself. Kindness can do what pushing cannot."