Tara

38 Influence

1	The Spirits of the North Wind and the Sun were in dispute as to which was the most powerful force on man.
2	The Spirit of the North Wind did declare: Upon my might, I have smashed a thousand ships upon the rocks,
3	And laid waste to whole lands and stock.
4	Thus the spirit of the Sun proposed a test and said: Fair wind of the North, let us resolve our dispute,
5	Without the demise of a single man. Instead I propose a single test.
6	Let us find a Seafarer and see who can strip him of his cloak.
7	They agreed and so found a single Seafarer on his vessel.
8	The North Wind agreed and went first by blowing with all his might upon a Seafarer and his boat.
9	But the keener his blasts, the closer the Seafarer wrapped his cloak around him.
10	Until at last, resigning all hope of victory, the Wind called upon the Sun to see what he could do.
11	The Sun then shone out with all his warmth.
12	The Seafarer no sooner felt his genial rays than he took off his cloak.
13	To the Spirit of the Wind of the North, the Sun said thus: Indeed fair wind, my powers are strong and when unchecked can cause great hardship.
14	Yet persuasion is always better than force.