THE WIND AND THE SUN
THE North Wind and the Sun once fell into
a dispute as to which was the stronger of
the two. They related their most famous ex-
ploits, and each ended as he began, by think-
ing he had the greater power.
Just then a traveler came in sight, and
they agreed to test the matter by trying to
see which of them could soonest get of the
cloak he wore wrapped around him.
The boastful North Wind was the first to
try. He blew a most furious blast, and nearly
tore the cloak from its fastenings at his first
attempt; but the man only held his cloak the
more closely, and old Boreas spent his strength
in vain.
Mortified by his failure to do so simple a
thing, he at last withdrew.
Then came the kindly Sun, dispelling the
clouds that had gathered, and sending his
warmest rays straight down upon the travel-
er's head.
Growing faint with sudden heat, the men
quickly flung aside his cloak, and hastened for
protection to the nearest shade.Persuasion is often better than force.