The North Wind and the Sun disputed as to which was the most powerful, and agreed that he should be declared the victor who could strip a wayfaring¹ man of his clothes.

北风和太阳为谁的威力更大而争执不下。它们一致同意，谁若是能够让过路人脱下衣服谁就是胜利者。

The North Wind first tried his power and blew with all his might, but the keener his blasts, the closer the Traveler wrapped his cloak around him, until at last, resigning all hope of victory, the North Wind called upon the Sun to see what he could do.

北风首先一显身手，用劲全力刮了起来，可是，它刮得越猛裂，过路人把斗蓬裹得越紧，最后只得放弃了获胜的希望。于是，北风只好请太阳一试身手。

The Sun suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The Traveler no sooner felt his genial² rays than he took off one garment after another, and at last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed and bathed in a stream that lay in his path.

太阳突然释放出它全部的温暖。过路人感受到了它亲切的光芒，一件一件地脱掉衣服，最后终于抵挡不住炎热，脱光衣服，到路边的小溪里游泳去了。

"I think that proves who is strongest," said the Sun. But the North Wind had crept away to hide.

太阳说：“我想，这足以证明谁更强大了吧。”此时，风早已悄悄地溜走，藏了起来。