The North Wind and the Sun

One bright, clear day, the North Wind and the Sun argued loudly over who was stronger. Looking down, they spotted a traveler in a red cloak walking along the road.

"Whoever can make that traveler take off his cloak first is the stronger one!" the Sun challenged. The North Wind laughed and eagerly volunteered to go first.

The North Wind blew as hard as it could, bending the trees sideways. But the harder it blew, the tighter the traveler clutched his cloak and shivered. Eventually the North Wind ran out of breath, having accomplished nothing at all.

Now it was the Sun's turn. It gently shone its warm rays down, and little by little the traveler began to feel comfortable, until the air grew pleasantly warm.

Soon the traveler grew so warm that he happily took off his cloak all on his own. The Sun won the contest, and the North Wind learned that gentleness and warmth win people over far better than force ever can.

Gentleness and warmth win people over far better than force ever can.