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The Wind and the Sun

By Horace E. Scudder
1915

Horace E. Scudder (1838-1902) was an American writer and editor. In this fable, the Wind and the Sun
compete to see who can get a man’s coat off. As you read, take notes on how the Wind and the Sun attempt
to win the contest.

[1]
1
The Wind and the Sun had a dispute as to which
of the two was the stronger. They agreed that the
one should be called stronger who should first
2
make a man in the road take off his cloak.

3
The Wind began to blow great guns, but the man
only drew his cloak closer about him to keep out
the cold. At last the gust was over.

Then the Sun took his turn. He shone and it was

warm and bright. The man opened his cloak,
threw it back, and at last took it off, and lay down
in the shade where it was cool.

4 "Wind" by Georgie Pauwels is licensed under CC BY 2.0

So the Sun carried his point against the Wind.

[5] This fable teaches that gentleness often succeeds better than force.

“The Wind and the Sun” from The Book of Fables and Folk Stories by Horace E. Scudder (1915) is in the public domain.

1. Dispute (noun): an argument

2. a piece of clothing that is used as a coat
3. a phrase meaning “with great energy”
4. to succeed at doing something

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 Text-Dependent Questions
Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. PART A: How is the central message conveyed in the fable?

A. The Sun and the Wind have a contest, but still manage to remain friends
throughout it.
B. The Sun and the Wind have a contest, and it's proven that it's better to be
gentle.
C. The Sun beats the Wind in their contest, but he remains kind to the Wind.
D. The Sun and the Wind have a contest, in which they prove that they each have
their own strengths.

2. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
A. “The Wind and the Sun had a dispute as to which of the two was the stronger.”
(Paragraph 1)
B. “but the man only drew his cloak closer about him to keep out the cold.”
(Paragraph 2)
C. “He shone and it was warm and bright. The man opened his cloak, threw it back,
and at last took it off.” (Paragraph 3)
D. “So the Sun carried his point against the Wind.” (Paragraph 4)

3. What is the difference between the Wind and the Sun in the story?
A. The Wind is mean, while the Sun is kind.
B. The Wind relies on his strength, while the Sun uses his smarts.
C. The Wind relies on force, while the Sun has a softer touch.
D. The Wind is a bad loser, while the Sun is polite.

4. Why is it important to the fable that the man takes off his coat?

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 Discussion Questions
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to
share your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. In terms of the fable, how does the Sun succeed in his contest against the Wind? What are
other circumstances when being gentle is better than being forceful?

2. In the fable, the sun is able to make the man take off his coat. How is this an example of the
power that nature has over humans? Describe a time when nature influenced your actions.