THE SOUTH WIND AND THE SUN

THE SOUTH WIND AND THE SUN

One autumn day, up in the sky,
The Wind called to the far-off Sun.
He boasted to the Light on High,
“I really am the strongest one!”

“I'm mightier than you, warm Sun,”
The cold South Wind announced with pride.
“Forever restlessly I run
Throughout the vast sky, blue and wide.”

“But are you sure,” the Sun replied,
“You are as powerful as you say?”
“Oh yes, I'm sure,” the proud Wind cried.
“I rule the air both night and day.”

“I whirl in here from far away.
I rustle all the forest leaves.
I carry all the clouds and play
My song through all the swaying trees.”

“Your power is wild, but mine can please,”
The Sun said, “ What's your power worth?
For when it's used, you rage and freeze-
But mine brings light and warmth to earth.”

“Each dawn I bring the day to birth;
My rays call forth each golden flower,
And all the creatures of the earth
Rejoice that I employ my power.”

“So let's find out, this very hour,
Which one of us is stronger. See-
A Traveller is trudging now
Along the road, quite wearily.”

“So let us see if you can be
So mighty that you force this man
To take his cloak off willingly.
Come, let us find out if you can!”

“Of course,” the Wind said and began
At once to blow. The tops of trees
Swayed softly and the white clouds ran
Through blue sky in the growing breeze.

But the Traveller just said,” I'm pleased
I've got my cloak to wrap around
And shield me from this chilly breeze
Which sprang up with its whistling sound.”

At this, the Wind's rage knew no bounds,
It tore down from the stormy sky.
The dead leaves leapt up from the ground
And tall trees groaned as he flew by.

“I'll tear this cloak from you with my
Wild-tearing power,” the great Wind cried,
“I'll blow and rage and storm till I
Have ripped it free! I'll whip your hide!”

The Traveller, however, tied
His cloak around himself and smiled:
“I'm really glad I did decide
To bring my cloak. This wind's so wild!”

At last the Wind once more was mild.
“Oh dear, I'm all blown out,” he sighed.
“ My brother Wind,” the warm Sun smiled,
“I think it's time now that I tried.”

And so the Sun began to glide
Out from the clouds' concealing greys,
To glow once more on all outside
And spread his shining, warming rays.

All coldness fled before his gaze,
And butterflies began to dance,
And little lizards slipped out to laze
On sunny stones in his warming glance.

The Traveller relaxed his stance.
He thought, “I'm glad there's no more storm.
I must slip back this cloak at once;
In fact, it's getting rather warm.”

The Sun continued to transform
The world with its warm harmony;
Wild bees went buzzing, in a swarm,
To build a hive in a hollow tree.

The Sun kept shining happily,
And spreading warm and warmer rays,
Till autumn seemed a memory
In the drowsy heat of summer days;

Till all was shimmering in a haze
Of dazzling heat, bright in the power
Of the fierce Sun's steady, fiery gaze.
The Traveller wiped sweat beads from his brow.

“How strange, it's grown so hot somehow,”
The Traveller said. “ I think it's best
If I take off my cloak right now
And seek some shady tree's cool rest.”

“Come, brother Wind, see how it's best
To use persuasion's gentle power,”
The Sun called. “I have passed the test,
For he's removed his cloak right now.”

And so the Sun, with warm persuasion,
Succeeded better on this occasion,
While the Wind, with all his furious course,
Completely failed by using force.