伊索寓言 08北风与太阳 The Wind and the Sun
It is a cold winter morning and the Wind is blowing strongly.
Wind: Blow away! Blow away! Ha, ha, ha! Look at those trees! They are shaking.
The Wind blows stronger.
Wind: Blow away! Blow away! Look at those houses! They are also shaking. I am the strongest in the world.
The Wind blows and blows. The weather becomes colder and colder.
Wind: I can shake trees and houses. I can even blow them away. I am the strongest in the world.
The Sun comes along.
Sun: Hello there, Mr. Wind. It is very cold and windy today, isn’t it?
Wind: Yes. I did it.
Sun: Really？You must be strong.
Wind: Yes. I am the strongest in the world.
Sun: You may be strong, but I am stronger.
Wind: Ha, ha, ha. You must be joking.
Sun: No, I am not. I am the strongest.
Wind: Well, then show me. What can you do? Can you blow away a tree?
The Wind blows away a tree.
Wind: See!
Sun: Wow! That’s great! I can’t do that. But I can melt snow. And I can help flowers grow. I can also bring spring. I am the strongest in the world.
Wind: That’s nothing. I am the strongest in the world.
The Sun and the Wind keep arguing until a stranger walks by.
Wind: I have an idea, Mrs. Sun. Do you see that man?
Sun: The one wearing the blue coat?
Wind: Yes. Let’s make a bet.
Sun: What kind of a bet?
Wind: Make him take off his coat. If you win, you are the strongest. If I win, I am the strongest.
Sun: That sounds interesting. If I win, stop blowing so hard.
Wind: I promise.
Sun: You go first.
Wind: Are you sure?
Sun: Of course.
Wind: Okay then. I will go first.
The Wind blows as hard as he can. But the harder the Wind blew, the more the man wrapped the coat around him.
Wind: What’s the matter? Why isn’t the coat coming off?
Stranger: The wind is strong today. I am cold. Brrr..
Wind: I’ll try harder.
Stranger: Achoo! It is getting colder. I better hold on to my coat.
Wind: Blow away coat! Blow away!
Sun: It’s no use.
Wind: I’ll try one last time.
Sun: This is your last chance.
Wind: Okay. I will blow harder.
The Wind blows as hard as he can, but the stranger’s coat doesn’t blow away.
Sun: You are very strong, Mr. Wind. But sometimes strength is no use. It’s my turn now. I’ll try.
Wind: Go ahead. It won’t be easy.
The Wind is a little worried.
Wind: (murmur) What if she wins? No, that can’t be.
The Sun shines gently on the Stranger.
Stranger: What happened to the wind? The sun is out now. It is getting warm. Gee, what a strange day!
The Stranger looks up at the Sun and fans himself.
Stranger: It’s getting warmer. I can’t stand it!
The Stranger starts loosening his coat button.
Wind: I don’t understand. You didn’t do anything.
Sun: Strength is not everything. Just watch.
The Stranger loosens all of his coat buttons. The Sun keeps shinning on him.
Stranger: I am still hot. It’s like spring. I must take off my coat.
Wind: He is taking off his coat! I don’t believe it. You didn’t do anything.
Sun: Yes, I did. I gave him sunshine. I made him warm. I said strength is not everything.
Wind: You were right. Strength is not everything. You win. You are the strongest in the world.
Sun: Thank you. I can’t blow away trees. But I can make people warm and happy. So they all love me.
Wind: From now on, I will blow gently.
Sun: And I will shine gently. Spring will come soon.
The Sun shone and the Wind blew gently. Spring was around the corner.
MORAL
Strength isn’t everything.
