The North Wind and the Sun were having an argument, as they often did. Each one claimed to be the strongest.

"I can uproot trees!" howled the North Wind. "I can sink ships! I can blow the hats off a hundred men!"

"Strength isn't about force," said the Sun calmly. "It's about what you can make happen."

"Prove it," said the Wind.

Just then, a traveler came walking down the road, wrapped in a warm, heavy cloak.

"Let's have a contest," said the Sun. "Whoever can get that traveler to take off his cloak is the strongest."

"Easy!" said the Wind. "I'll blow it right off him!"

The North Wind took a deep breath and blew. He blew and blew. The trees bent sideways. Dust flew everywhere. The traveler's cloak flapped and whipped in the gale.

But the harder the Wind blew, the tighter the traveler pulled his cloak around himself. He hunched his shoulders, gripped the collar with both hands, and leaned into the storm. The Wind blew harder and harder, but it was no use.

Finally, the North Wind gave up, exhausted.

"My turn," said the Sun.

The Sun came out from behind the clouds and began to shine. Gently at first, then warmer and warmer. The road grew pleasant. The air turned mild.

The traveler loosened his collar. He unbuttoned his cloak. He wiped his brow. And before long, he took the cloak right off and carried it over his arm, smiling as he walked in the warm sunshine.

"You see?" said the Sun. "Gentleness and warmth will always accomplish what force and bluster cannot."

And even the North Wind had to admit it was true.