The Sun and the Wind: (English Readers Starter Level)
Usborne English Readers Level 1 Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A delightful retelling of Aesop's fable about the competition between the Sun and the Wind to prove who is stronger, by seeing who can make a traveler remove his coat. The story highlights the power of gentleness over force. From the well-loved Aesop's fable, this version includes fun activities and online audio in both British and American English. Beautifully produced with world-class full-color artwork throughout, this classic story is retold in a fluent and natural style, making it highly accessible for English language learners. The series is devised and edited in collaboration with acclaimed ELT consultant Peter Viney.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Sun
The Traveler
Wind
Discussion points
How do you think the Sun made the traveler feel warm? What would you do if you were the Sun?
What are some ways the Wind tried to make the traveler take off his cloak? Did they work?
Why do you think being gentle and warm worked better than being rough and strong?
Can you think of a time when you solved a problem by being kind instead of using force?
What is the main lesson of the story, and how can you apply it in your daily life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the conversation by relating to the story’s scenario. Discuss a similar situation where gentleness might be more effective than force.
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel as the traveler, the Sun, or the Wind in various parts of the story.
Link the story to real-life examples, discussing occasions where your child may need to decide between using gentle actions or forceful ones.
Praise your child for insights and make sure to explore each answer further by asking why they think or feel that way, promoting critical thinking.
Wrap up the discussion by summarizing the moral and asking your child to suggest other situations where the lesson could be applied.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of gentle persuasion over force
Explanation: In the story, the Wind tries to blow a man’s coat off with force but fails, whereas the Sun gently warms the man, successfully leading him to remove his coat.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of kindness and patience in achieving desired outcomes, rather than using aggression or force.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of our actions on others
Explanation: As the Wind and the Sun compete, their actions directly affect the man with the coat, showcasing how our behaviors influence others around us.
Real-World Application: Children learn to consider how their actions affect others, fostering empathy and social awareness.
Example Lesson: Cooperation over competition
Explanation: The story could be interpreted to show that if the Wind and the Sun had worked together, they might have been more successful, faster.
Real-World Application: Encourages collaborative problem-solving and highlights the benefits of teamwork in real-life situations.