Once upon a time, in a land where the North Wind and the Sun could talk, a challenge arose between them.
The North Wind, blowing a frosty breeze, boasted loudly, “I am the mightiest! No force can withstand my power!”
The Sun, glowing warmly in the sky, replied with a gentle voice, “Strength is not just about power. It’s also about kindness and persuasion.”
Just then, they saw a traveler walking down the winding road, wrapped in a cozy cloak. An idea struck the North Wind.
“See that traveler?” he roared. “Let’s see who can make him remove his cloak.”
The Sun agreed, and so the challenge began.
The North Wind puffed up his chest and blew the coldest, most blustering gusts he could muster. “Watch this,” he thundered, “I’ll have that cloak off in no time!”
The Traveler, shivering as the wind howled, pulled his cloak tighter around him. “Brrr! This wind is freezing!” he exclaimed, clutching his cloak for warmth.
The North Wind, growing more forceful, blew with all his might. But the harder he blew, the more the traveler wrapped himself in his cloak. Exhausted and defeated, the North Wind finally gave up. “Impossible! He clings to his cloak like a bear to its fur!”
Now it was the Sun’s turn. He smiled gently, spreading his warm, golden rays over the land. The Sun whispered softly, “Let me try a kinder approach.”
The Traveler felt the warmth and sighed in relief. “Ah, what a pleasant warmth! Spring must be near!” he said, loosening his cloak.
As the Sun’s rays grew warmer and more comforting, the traveler stopped, basking in the pleasant heat. “Such lovely weather,” he mused, finally removing his cloak to enjoy the sun’s delightful embrace.
The North Wind watched in amazement. “How did you do that? I used all my force, yet you effortlessly succeeded without a struggle!”
The Sun replied softly, “Dear North Wind, you tried to force the cloak away with power, but I used warmth and kindness. Sometimes, gentleness achieves what strength cannot.”
And so, the Sun proved that kindness and gentle persuasion can be more powerful than force and might. The traveler continued on his way, grateful for the Sun’s warmth, and the North Wind learned a valuable lesson about the strength of gentleness.
Moral of the Story
“Persuasion is better than force.”
The Elves and the Shoemaker — The Eagle and The Crow — The Boy Who Cried Wolf