The North Wind and the Sun

High up in the sky lived the North Wind and the Sun. One quiet afternoon, they began to talk about who was the strongest. The North Wind puffed out his cheeks and said, 'I am the strongest, because I can bend the trees.' The Sun smiled warmly and answered, 'Perhaps, but let us see.'

Far below, on a meadow path, a little traveler was walking in a soft green cloak. 'Let us have a contest,' said the Sun. 'Whoever first makes the traveler take off the cloak has won.' The North Wind nodded and took a deep breath. 'This will be easy,' he thought.

The North Wind blew and blew. He blew so hard that the leaves danced and the traveler's hat almost flew off. But the more he blew, the tighter the traveler held the cloak and wrapped it close around him. At last the North Wind sighed and rested. Then the Sun shone softly out from behind a cloud.