Long ago at the start of the world

the wind and the sun were talking together when they began

to have a disagreement. Which of them

was the strongest, they wondered. To settle the point

they agreed to try something.

Seeing a passing traveler, they decided

to see which of them could take off

the man's coat first. The wind began to blow

with all his strength,

a cold and fearsome wind. He tried to blow the man's coat

off his back, but the stronger he blew

the closer and firmer the man

held on to his coat. Next,

it was the sun's turn. Breaking out

from behind the clouds he let his warm, welcome light

fall upon the traveler. Soon

the cold disappeared and the traveler,

feeling the gentle warmth on his shoulders

sat down and took off his coat.

It was clear that the sun

had won.