The North Wind and the Sun

On a cold September morning, the Sun woke up from his sleep. He rose up over the east mountains.

When the North Wind saw the Sun, he drifted across the sky to meet him.

“Hello Sun. You’re awake early,” said the North Wind. “It’s September now, so I control the sky!”

The Sun yawned and said, “No. I want to continue summer for a little longer. The trees and the flowers are so bright and healthy this year.”

The North Wind looked down at the green forest and frowned. “I have so much work to do.”

The North Wind filled his lungs with air and blew into the forest. The trees shook and some leaves fell.

The Sun moved higher into the sky. “Wait! Don’t blow yet!” he cried out. He shined brightly, and warm rays of sun covered the hills.

The North Wind and the Sun became angry at each other. The North Wind blew harder and the Sun shined brighter.

Finally, the North Wind said, “I have an idea! Let’s make a bet.”

“Oh?” The Sun turned toward the North Wind and listened carefully.

“Let’s have a battle,” explained the North Wind. “The winner will control September. If I win, it will be a cold September. If you win, it will be a warm September.”

The Sun smiled. He always loved a challenge. “That’s a fantastic idea! What kind of battle do you suggest?”

The North Wind looked around.

“Do you see that big tree over there?” said the North Wind. “Whoever knocks all of the leaves out of the tree is the winner!”

The Sun shook his head. “No way! That’s not a fair challenge. I don’t blow leaves. I help them grow! How about this idea. Do you see that muddy road over there? Whoever dries the road faster is the winner!”

The North Wind whistled angrily. “No way! That’s not a fair challenge. Your hot rays can dry things easily. My wind brings the rain.”

The two thought carefully about a new challenge.

“Hey!” said the North Wind, “Look over there! A man!”

The Sun and the North Wind watched a man come out of his house. He was wearing a thick jacket, a wool hat and a scarf. He started walking along a dirt road.

“I have an idea for a battle,” said the North Wind. “Whoever can take the jacket, hat and scarf off the man will be the winner.”

The Sun considered this idea. Then, he agreed.

The North Wind was excited for the competition and was certain that he would win. He took in a deep breath and blew.

The sudden gust of wind surprised the man. His scarf flew off his neck. He tried to grab it, but it blew away in the wind.

The North Wind whistled in glee. “I got his scarf!” He shouted. He blew again, even harder than before.

However, this time, the man was prepared. He used one hand to hold down his hat and his other hand to hold tightly to his jacket.

When the North Wind blew harder, the man held on tighter. And when the North Wind blew as hard as he could, the man held on as tight as he could.

Finally, the North Wind became tired. He turned to the Sun and said, “I removed the man’s scarf, but he is strong. I am sure that you can’t remove his jacket or scarf, so I’m the winner!”

The Sun smiled and said, “It’s true that you removed the scarf, but you won’t be the winner. I’m sure that I can remove his jacket and scarf.”

The North Wind laughed when he heard that. “Do you really think you are stronger than me? Go ahead and try, Sun. You can’t defeat me!”

The Sun turned towards the man and shined brightly.

The man continued walking along the dirt road. He held on tightly to his hat and jacket.

The Sun shined brighter.

The man looked up and squinted at the Sun. He stopped holding his hat and jacket tightly, and he unbuttoned his jacket.

The Sun shined as bright as he could.

The man stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He took off his hat and his jacket. He walked over to a large tree and sat in the tree’s shade.

The Sun faced the North Wind and said, “I removed the man’s hat and jacket! You only removed the scarf. I am the winner!” The Sun smiled proudly.

“I see,” said the North Wind sadly. “It’s true. I lost this challenge to you. Your strategy was better than mine. September is yours, so you can have a warm September.” The North Wind turned and flew away across the sky. Before he left, he shouted, “I’ll be back in November!”

The Sun was happy that he won the battle.

He shined brightly all September and the temperature was hot. It was the warmest September ever.

The End.