The Sun and The North Wind

"There is something in the temper of man, so averse to severe and boisterous treatment, that those who endeavour to carry their point in that way, instead of prevailing, generally leaves the mind of him whom they attempted to subdue, refuses in a more confirmed and obstinate state," the Moon openned her voice after saying basmalah and greeting with salaam.

Then she described, "A north wind, is a wind that originates in the north and blows in a southward direction. The north wind has had historical and literary significance, since it often signals cold weather, and seasonal change in the Northern hemisphere. In Greek mythology, Boreas noted as the god of the north wind and bringer of cold winter air. In Inuit mythology, Negagfok represents "the North Wind” or, more eloquently, “the spirit that likes cold and stormy weather." In Egyptian mythology, Qebui is known as the god of the north winds.

In the Southern Hemisphere, especially in southern Australia, the north wind is a hot wind which often leads to bushfires.

Once, the North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat and bluster, a Traveler passed along the road wrapped in a cloak.

“Let us agree,” said the Sun, “that he is the stronger who can strip that Traveler of his cloak.”

“Very well!” growled the North Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the Traveler.

With the first gust of wind, the ends of the cloak whipped about the Traveler’s body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain.

Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth, after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun’s rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by the roadside.

The sun danced and shouted, 'Oy tacky! Remember, Gentleness and Kind persuasion, win, where force and bluster, never succeed!'

Afterwards, the sun stopped dancing, with a sad expression, the sun sang, which irritated the North Wind even more,

I started a joke

Which started the whole world crying

But I didn't see

That the joke was on me, oh no

I started to cry

Which started the whole world laughing

Oh, if I'd only seen

That the joke was on me *)

In closing, the Moon said, "Bitter words and hard usage, freeze the heart into a kind of obduracy, which mild persuasion and gentle language only can dissolve and soften. Persecution has always fixed and rivetted those opinions which it was intended to dispel.

Glory be to Allah Al-Latheef, the One Who is most subtle and gracious. The One Whose nature is gentle, affectionate, courteous and refined. The One Who is kind, gracious, and understanding, with regard for the subtle details of individual circumstances. The One whose actions are so fine and subtle that they may be imperceptible, beyond our comprehension. The One whose delicate perception reveals the subtleties of all things. And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- James Northcote, RA, One Hundred Fables, Originals and Selected, J. Johnson
- Samuel Croxall, D.D., Fables of Aesop and Others, Simon Probasco
*) "I Started A Joke" written by Barry Alan Gibb & Maurice Ernest Gibb

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