The North Wind and the Sun

北风和太阳

The North Wind and the Sun had a contest of strength. They decided¹ to allot² the palm of victory to whichever of them could strip the clothes off a traveler.

北风和太阳较量谁的威力大。他们决定谁能剥去一个行人的衣服，谁就是胜利者。

The North Wind first tried his power. He blew with all his might. As the man clung on to his clothes, the North Wind attacked him with greater force. But the man,uncomfortable from the cold, put on more clothes. So, disheartened, the North Wind left him to the Sun.

北风第一个施展威力，他使尽全力刮起来。当行人把一衣服裹紧时，北风更猛烈地吹着他，行人却冷得难受，又穿上了更多的衣裳。最后，北风心灰意冷地把那人交给了太阳。

The Sun shone moderately, and the man removed his extra cloak. Then the Sun darted³ light which was more scorching⁴ until the man, not being able to stand the heat,took off his clothes and went to take a dip in a nearby river.

太阳温和地照着，行人脱掉了添加的斗篷。然后，太阳射出的光更强烈了，行人难耐高温，脱下衣服，跳到附近的河里洗澡去了。

This fable⁵ shows that persuasion⁶ is often more effective than force.

这则寓言说明，劝说往往比暴力更有效。