The following is a three level introduction to the story of The North Wind and the Sun. Begin with level 1, and work your way up to level 3 by learning the new vocabulary added in each section.
Reading Level 1
Story by Aesop, modern translation by Diedra Drake
The North Wind and the Sun were arguing about which of them was the strongest. They decided to test their powers on a traveler coming down the road, to see who could get him to remove his cloak faster.
The North Wind tried first. He used all his power and his cold wind blasted down on the man, almost blowing his cloak off. But the harder he blew, the tighter the man held onto the cloak.
Then it was the Sun’s turn. He sent a little heat down on the traveler, who loosened his cloak when he became warm. Then the Sun shined with full power, and the man quickly pulled off his cloak before he continued down the road on his journey.
It is better to change someones mind than to force them.
Reading Level 2
Story by Aesop, modern translation by Diedra Drake
There was an argument between the North Wind and the Sun. Each said that he was stronger than the other. At last they decided to test their powers upon a traveler, to see which could get him to remove his cloak sooner.
The North Wind had the first try. He used all his force for the attack, and came whirling down upon the man, trying to blow his cloak off of him. But the harder he blew, the more closely the man held it around himself.
Then came the Sun’s turn. At first he gently warmed the traveler, who soon opened his cloak and walked on with it loose around his shoulders. Then he shined with his full strength, and before the man had gone many steps, threw his cloak off and continued his journey without it on.
It is better to persuade than to force.
Reading Level 3
Story by Aesop, translated by V. S. Vernon Jones
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.
Persuasion is better than force
