Pagina 36 de 274

A dispute arose between the North Wind and the Sun, each claiming

that he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed to try

their powers upon a traveller, to see which could soonest strip

him of his cloak. The North Wind had the first try; and,

gathering up all his force for the attack, he came whirling

furiously down upon the man, and caught up his cloak as though he

would wrest it from him by one single effort: but the harder he

blew, the more closely the man wrapped it round himself. Then

came the turn of the Sun. At first he beamed gently upon the

traveller, who soon unclasped his cloak and walked on with it

hanging loosely about his shoulders: then he shone forth in his

full strength, and the man, before he had gone many steps, was

glad to throw his cloak right off and complete his journey more

lightly clad.

Persuasion is better than force

THE MISTRESS AND HER SERVANTS