Once the sun and the wind had a dispute, each thinking himself, the stronger. Finally they agreed that he should be considered the stronger who should succeed in forcing a traveler, whom they saw on the road, to drop his cloak from his shoulder. So the wind began to blow and storm, and rain and hail aided him; then the poor traveler trembled, and was frightened, but he only wrapped his cloak closely about him to protect himself and keep the wind from tearing it off.

Now came the sun's turn. With mild and gentle warmth he sent down his rays. Heaven and earth smiled, and the earth grew warmer every moment. The traveler could not keep the heavy cloak on his shoulder any longer, so he took it off and sat down to rest under a shady tree, while the sun rejoiced in his victory.