The North Wind and the Sun
Long, long ago, high up in the sky, the North Wind and the Sun were arguing over which of them was stronger.
The North Wind puffed out his chest and said, “I’m the strong one, of course! When I blow, the trees sway and even the rooftops rattle.”
The Sun smiled softly and answered, “Hmm, but does being strong have to mean being rough?”
Just then, down below on a country road, a traveler in a thick coat came trudging along.
The North Wind, as if struck by a clever idea, said, “Then let’s say whoever can take that man’s coat off first is the winner.”
The Sun nodded. “All right. You go first.”
The North Wind filled his cheeks and blew a cold, fierce gust—whooo! But the harder the wind blew, the more the startled traveler clutched the edges of his coat with both hands.
The North Wind blew harder, and harder still. And what do you think happened? The traveler hunched up against the cold and wrapped his coat even more tightly around himself.
No matter how he blew, the coat would not come off. At last the North Wind stopped, gasping for breath. “Phew, there’s just no doing it.”
Now it was the Sun’s turn. The Sun peeked gently out from between the clouds and let a warm light fall softly upon the traveler.
As the cozy sunshine settled on his shoulders, the traveler smiled and said, “Oh, the day has turned so warm.”
When the Sun shone a little warmer, tiny beads of sweat gathered on the traveler’s brow. And then, all by himself, he quietly slipped off his coat and slung it over his shoulder.
The Sun smiled gently. “You see? Warmth opens a heart without ever having to push.”
The North Wind nodded too. And on that day, the North Wind quietly understood that a warm heart can be a far greater strength than the mightiest force.
The harder the North Wind blew, the tighter the traveler held on to his coat. Yet the Sun did nothing but shine down warmly, and the traveler took the coat off all on his own.
When you want to open someone's heart, pushing harder isn't always the answer. Sometimes simply staying close and shining gently is stronger than any fierce wind.
As you grow, my little one, there will be times your heart doesn't match someone else's. When that happens, be the warm sunlight rather than the cold wind. Dad hopes you'll carry that kind of gentle strength.