Phoebus and Boreas
Quick Answer
The Sun and the North Wind compete to see who can make a traveler remove his cloak. The wind uses force, but the sun’s gentle warmth wins—a fable about kindness beating pressure.
Why This Story Works for Bedtime
It’s soothing by design: the solution is warmth and calm. A perfect bedtime moral—gentle approaches often work better than pushing.
Story at a Glance
RECOMMENDED AGES
4-8 years
READING TIME
3 min
Story Synopsis
A traveler walks along a road wrapped in a thick cloak. High above, the North Wind boasts that he can blow the cloak right off. The Sun suggests a friendly contest: whoever can make the traveler take it off will be declared stronger. The North Wind goes first. He howls and blasts, sending gusts that whip at the traveler’s shoulders. But the harder the wind blows, the tighter the traveler clutches his cloak. Then the Sun takes his turn. He doesn’t shout or shove. He simply shines—steady, warm, patient. Little by little, the traveler relaxes. The day feels pleasant. And at last, without being forced, the traveler removes the cloak. The fable’s lesson is soft and bedtime-friendly: gentleness can be powerful. Warmth invites; force makes people grip harder. It’s a calming story for ages 4–8 and a lovely way to end the night with the idea that kindness works.
Story Excerpt
One day, the Sun and the North Wind looked down from the sky and saw a traveler walking along a road. He was wrapped in a thick, warm cloak, for the air had a little chill in it. The North Wind, who loved to show off his strength, puffed out his chest. “ See that man? ” he boasted. “ I can blow his cloak right off his shoulders. Just watch me! ” The Sun smiled gently. “ Let’s make a friendly challenge of it, ” he said. “ Whichever of us…
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In One Glance
Phoebus and Boreas is a fable where the Sun and the North Wind compete to make a traveler remove his cloak. The wind uses strong gusts, but the traveler holds on tighter. The sun uses gentle warmth, and the traveler relaxes and takes the cloak off. The story teaches that persuasion and kindness can be stronger than force.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sun and the North Wind compete, and gentle warmth succeeds where force fails.
Ages 4–8.
Yes—warm, simple, and peaceful.
Kindness and patience often work better than pressure.