FABLE XXXV
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
The Wind and the Sun talked. They were high in the sky. They often argued. They talked about who was strong. The Wind said, "I am strong." The Sun said, "No, I am strong." They both wanted to win. They had a big disagreement. They wanted to show their power. The sky heard their talk.
They saw a Traveler below. He walked on a road. The Traveler wore a cloak. His cloak was warm. It kept him safe. The Wind said, "Let us play a game." The Sun said, "Yes, a game." They would make him remove it. Who could do it first? That one would be the strongest. This was their test.
The Wind went first. It blew very hard. It howled and roared. A cold wind came. Rain fell fast. Leaves flew everywhere. The trees bent low. The Wind made the air cold. It blew on the Traveler. The Traveler felt very cold. He shivered. He pulled his hat down. The wind pushed him hard. The Wind was very strong. It wanted to win.
The Traveler did not take off his cloak. He pulled it close. He pulled it around his body. He held it very tight. He walked faster. He fought the strong wind. He hugged his cloak. He would not let go. The cold wind blew more. The Traveler held his cloak tighter. He did not want to be cold.
Then the Sun took its turn. It came out from the clouds. The clouds went away. The sky turned blue. Birds began to sing. Flowers opened up. The Sun shone bright. It sent warm light down. A soft breeze blew. The air became warm. The Sun smiled down. Its rays were kind. The Sun was gentle. It felt very nice.
The Traveler felt warm. Then he felt hot. He felt very hot now. Sweat dripped from him. His face turned red. He could not stand the heat. He felt tired and weak. He felt very sleepy. The road was long. The sun was very strong. He wanted to be cool. He needed to rest. He looked for shade.
The Traveler took off his cloak. He threw it on the ground. He wiped his brow. He sighed with relief. His cloak was heavy. He did not need it now. He looked for a cool place. He saw some trees. The trees looked green. Their shade was cool. He walked to the trees. He rested in their shade. He closed his eyes. The Sun smiled softly. The Sun won the game.
Being kind and gentle works better. It is better than being strong and loud.
Original Story
FABLE XXXV.
THE WIND AND THE SUN.
A dispute once arose betwixt the North Wind and the Sun about the superiority of their power; and they agreed to try their strength upon a traveller, which should be able to get off his cloak first.
The North Wind began, and blew a very cold blast, accompanied with a sharp, driving shower. But this, and whatever else he could do, instead of making the man quit his cloak, obliged him to gird it about his body as close as possible.
Next came the Sun, who, breaking out from the thick, watery cloud, drove away the cold vapours from the sky, and darted his warm, sultry beams upon the head of the poor weather-beaten traveller. The man, growing faint with the heat, and unable to endure it any longer, first throws off his heavy cloak, and then flies for protection to the shade of a neighbouring grove.
MORAL.
Soft and gentle means will often accomplish what force and fury can never effect.
Story DNA
Moral
Soft and gentle means will often accomplish what force and fury can never effect.
Plot Summary
The North Wind and the Sun argue over who is more powerful and decide to test their strength on a passing traveler, seeing who can make him remove his cloak. The North Wind blows fiercely, but the traveler only holds his cloak tighter. The Sun then shines warmly, causing the traveler to become hot and eventually remove his cloak, proving that gentle persuasion is more effective than brute force.
Themes
Emotional Arc
conflict to resolution
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This fable is attributed to Aesop, a legendary Greek fabulist, and has been passed down through various cultures for centuries, often used to teach moral lessons.
Plot Beats (7)
- The North Wind and the Sun argue about who is more powerful.
- They decide to settle their dispute by seeing who can make a passing traveler remove his cloak.
- The North Wind goes first, unleashing a cold blast and a sharp, driving shower.
- The traveler, instead of removing his cloak, pulls it tighter around himself.
- The Sun takes its turn, breaking through the clouds and shining warm, intense beams.
- The traveler becomes faint with heat and can no longer endure it.
- The traveler removes his heavy cloak and seeks shade in a nearby grove.
Characters
The North Wind ⚔ antagonist
Invisible, but manifests its power through strong, cold gusts of air and driving rain. Its presence is felt as a biting chill and seen in the violent movement of objects and the harshness of the weather it creates.
Attire: N/A (an elemental force)
Wants: To prove its superior power over the Sun and win the dispute.
Flaw: Its reliance on brute force, which often backfires and causes resistance rather than compliance.
Does not change; it remains convinced of its method until proven wrong by the Sun's success.
Boastful, forceful, aggressive, determined, overbearing, proud.
Image Prompt & Upload
An invisible, powerful force represented by a swirling vortex of dark grey, icy wind, with sharp, slanting rain lashing down. The wind is depicted as a strong, blustery gale, causing trees to bend and leaves to scatter. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Sun ★ protagonist
Invisible, but manifests its power through warm, bright, and eventually sultry beams of light. Its presence is felt as comforting warmth that gradually becomes intense heat, and seen in the clearing of clouds and the bright illumination of the landscape.
Attire: N/A (a celestial body)
Wants: To prove that gentle means are more effective than force, and to win the dispute with the North Wind.
Flaw: Initially appears less imposing than the Wind, leading others to underestimate its power.
Does not change; it consistently demonstrates its inherent nature and wisdom.
Patient, gentle, wise, persistent, subtle, effective.
Image Prompt & Upload
A radiant, golden orb, partially obscured by thick, watery clouds, from which bright, warm, and sultry beams of light emanate downwards. The light is depicted as powerful and pervasive, clearing the sky and illuminating the landscape. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Traveller ◆ supporting
A weather-beaten man, suggesting a life exposed to the elements. He is sturdy enough to withstand a strong wind and rain, but susceptible to extreme heat. His build is likely robust, accustomed to journeys on foot.
Attire: A heavy, practical cloak made of thick wool or similar durable fabric, designed for protection against harsh weather. Underneath, he would wear simple, sturdy clothes typical of a common traveler in a European setting, such as a tunic, trousers, and boots, likely in muted, earthy tones like brown, grey, or dark green.
Wants: To continue his journey, to protect himself from the elements, and ultimately, to find comfort.
Flaw: Vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, particularly prolonged discomfort.
He serves as the passive subject of the dispute, reacting to the forces of nature. His actions demonstrate the effectiveness of each force but he does not undergo a personal transformation.
Resilient, practical, adaptable (to a point), focused on self-preservation, weary.
Image Prompt & Upload
A weather-beaten adult man, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a rugged, tanned face with lines around his eyes, and short, practical dark brown hair. He wears a heavy, dark grey wool cloak tightly wrapped around his sturdy body, over a simple brown linen tunic and trousers, with sturdy leather boots. His expression is one of weary determination, bracing against an unseen force. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Open Road
An exposed, unsheltered road where a lone traveler is making his way, subject to the full force of the elements.
Mood: Exposed, challenging, later oppressive.
The North Wind and the Sun test their power on a traveler here, first with cold wind and rain, then with intense heat.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, dusty dirt road stretches into the distance under a vast, changeable sky. Initially, the sky is heavy with thick, dark rain clouds, and a strong, cold wind whips across the barren landscape, driving sharp rain. Later, the clouds part to reveal a brilliant, hot sun, casting strong, warm light onto the parched ground. No specific vegetation or architecture is visible, emphasizing the traveler's exposure. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Neighboring Grove
A cluster of trees offering welcome shade from the intense heat of the sun.
Mood: Relief, sanctuary, cool.
The traveler seeks refuge here after being overcome by the sun's heat, finally removing his cloak.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, dense grove of deciduous trees provides a deep, inviting shade from the intense afternoon sun. The ground beneath the trees is cool and dappled with soft light filtering through the thick canopy of green leaves. The air feels still and refreshing in contrast to the bright, hot open road just beyond the tree line. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
