Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, North Wind and the Sun. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.
The Fable
“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 traveler, 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 traveler,
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.”
Note: We see it all around us. It doesn’t matter where we live. Many believe in the myth that power is better than gentle persuasion. Force may require physical compliance, but it never captures or converts the heart. St. Francis of Assisi said that the best sermons were those preached through one’s actions. Our lives matter and how we act takes on great significance when we realize others are watching us to see if the words we speak align with the actions we take.