The North Wind and the Sun

Name: The North Wind and the Sun
Author: Aesop

Aesop A2 Fable Classic

A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.

Level: A2
Genres: Fable, Classic
Reading time: 1 min
Languages available: EN, VI, ES, ZH, PT, HI, ID

The North Wind and the Sun compete to see who can make a traveler remove his cloak, each trying a very different approach to win.

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The North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing, a traveler came along wrapped in a warm cloak.

They agreed that the one who first made the traveler take off his cloak should be considered stronger than the other.

Then the North Wind blew as hard as he could, but the harder he blew, the more closely the traveler wrapped his cloak around him; and at last the North Wind gave up the attempt.

Then the Sun shone out warmly, and immediately the traveler took off his cloak.

Kindness affects more than severity.

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What did the North Wind and the Sun decide to contest?
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Answer: Who could make a traveler remove his cloak
They 'agreed that the one who first made the traveler take off his cloak should be considered stronger than the other.'
What did the North Wind do to try to make the traveler remove his cloak?
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Answer: He blew as hard as he could
The North Wind 'blew as hard as he could' but 'the harder he blew, the more closely the traveler wrapped his cloak around him.'
What did the Sun do differently?
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Answer: The Sun shone warmly
Then the Sun 'shone out warmly, and immediately the traveler took off his cloak.'
What is the moral of this fable?
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Answer: Kindness and warmth are more effective than harshness and force
The fable ends with 'Kindness affects more than severity.'

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