One day the Sun and the Wind had an argument.
"I am stronger," said the Wind.
"I am stronger," said the Sun.
They went back and forth like this for a while. Neither would give in.
Then they saw a man walking along the road below. He was wearing a thick brown coat.
"Whoever makes him take off his coat," said the Wind, "is the stronger one."
The Sun agreed.
The Wind went first.
He blew. Gently at first, then harder. The man pulled his coat tighter. The Wind blew harder still - a great rushing roar that bent the trees and raised dust from the road.
The man held on to his coat with both hands and walked with his head down.
The Wind blew until he had nothing left. The coat stayed on.
Then the Sun had his turn.
He came out from behind the clouds and shone. Warm and steady and patient. Not fierce - just warm.
The man slowed down. He loosened his collar. He kept walking.
The Sun shone a little warmer.
The man stopped, took off his coat, folded it over his arm, and walked on with his face tilted up toward the sky.
The Wind was quiet for a moment.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
"I did not push," said the Sun. "I just made him want to."
Kindness and warmth can do what force never can.
Sleep tight, little one.
