The North Wind and the Sun
Reading corner. Series
What’s inside...
This is a simple retelling of Aesop's fable. The North Wind thinks he is stronger than the Sun, but the Sun proves that strength is no match for wisdom.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the sun was able to make the traveler take off his coat?
What did the north wind do to try and make the traveler take off his coat? Why do you think it didn’t work?
How do the actions of the sun and the north wind show us different ways to solve a problem?
Why is it important to be kind and gentle like the sun rather than forceful like the north wind?
If you were the traveler, how would you have felt during the contest between the north wind and the sun?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the different approaches the sun and the north wind use by asking them how they would have felt if they were the traveler.
Discuss the importance of persistence and kindness by comparing the strategies of the two characters. Point out that sometimes gentleness is more effective than force.
Invite your child to consider alternative endings by asking how they might resolve the conflict if they were the sun or the north wind.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and insights, fostering a positive reading environment that values their opinions and ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of persuasion over force
Explanation: In 'The North Wind and the Sun,' the North Wind tries to remove a man’s cloak using force, but fails. The Sun, however, succeeds by gently warming the man, persuading him to take it off himself.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of using gentle persuasion rather than force or coercion to achieve their goals and resolve conflicts.
Example Lesson: Patience yields better results
Explanation: The Sun demonstrates patience by gradually warming the air, which eventually leads the man to remove his cloak willingly.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of patience and how steady, gentle efforts often lead to success.
Example Lesson: Kindness as a strength
Explanation: The Sun’s method in the story highlights kindness and warmth as effective tools, proving more powerful than the blustery, aggressive tactics of the North Wind.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being kind and warm to others can often be more effective and appreciated than being forceful or aggressive.
Example Lesson: Importance of understanding others' perspectives
Explanation: The Sun observes the man’s reaction to the North Wind’s force and chooses a different strategy based on the man’s needs and comfort.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of considering other people's feelings and perspectives when interacting with them.
Example Lesson: Flexibility and adaptability
Explanation: The Sun’s ability to adapt its strategy to gently coax the man teaches the value of changing one’s approach when the situation requires.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this to their own lives by learning to adapt to different situations and being flexible in their problem-solving approaches.