Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

The Wind and the Sun

T HE Wind and the Sun had a dispute one day as to which of the two was the stronger.

They told of the wonderful things they could do.

"I," cried the Sun, "am able to bring the summer, to ripen the fruits and grains, and cover the earth with flowers."

"And I," cried the Wind, "can break the trees, and move the ships, and bring the winter."

So they quarreled, and each ended where he had begun, thinking that he had the greater power.

Just then they saw a traveler coming, and they agreed that whichever should make the traveler take off his coat should be counted the stronger.

The Wind was the first to try, so the Sun went behind a cloud while the Wind began to blow as hard as he could upon the traveler. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveler wrap his coat about him, until at last the Wind gave up in despair.

Then came the Sun and sent his warmest rays right down upon the traveler's head. The traveler quickly threw open his coat, turned it back, and at last took it off altogether.

Kindness effects more than severity.