The Sun and the Wind

As a young girl, I loved reading books and having them read to me.  I have a few that have stuck to memory and reflect on them often.  This one specifically comes to mind almost daily.

The Sun and the Wind

     The North Wind boasted of great strength. The Sun argued that there was great power in gentleness.

     "We shall have a contest," said the Sun.

     Far below, a man traveled a winding road. He was wearing a warm winter coat.

     "As a test of strength," said the Sun, "Let us see which of us can take the coat off of that man."

     "It will be quite simple for me to force him to remove his coat," bragged the Wind.

     The Wind blew so hard, the birds clung to the trees. The world was filled with dust and leaves. But the harder the wind blew down the road, the tighter the shivering man clung to his coat.

     Then, the Sun came out from behind a cloud. Sun warmed the air and the frosty ground.  The man on the road unbuttoned his coat.

     The sun grew slowly brighter and brighter.

     Soon the man felt so hot, he took off his coat and sat down in a shady spot.

     "How did you do that?" said the Wind.

     "It was easy," said the Sun, "I lit the day, through gentleness."

Often when I reflect on this story, I know that through compassion and understanding results are different.  We do not have to force our thoughts or opinions on others, rather sharing experiences.  Persuasion is better than force.