One day, the North Wind and the Sun argued about which of them was the strongest. Abadar, the god of commerce and civilization, stopped to observe their dispute. “Why don’t we settle this fairly?” he suggested. “Let us see who can compel that traveler on the road below to remove his cloak.”
The North Wind agreed, and with a mighty gust, he began his effort. The man, feeling the bitter chill, clutched his cloak tightly around him and even pulled it over his head to protect himself from the relentless wind. After a time, the North Wind gave up, frustrated.
Then the Sun tried his turn. Beaming warmly from the heavens, the Sun caused the air to grow pleasant and balmy. The man, feeling the growing heat, loosened his cloak and eventually took it off in the heat, resting under the shade of a tree. The Sun began to declare victory, but as soon as he turned away, the man put on the cloak again.
The god of commerce then approached the traveler and bought the cloak for five gold coins. The traveler tucked the money away and continued on his way, unbothered by either wind or heat. He soon bought a new cloak and invested the remainder in an index fund. The returns were steady, and in time the man prospered far beyond the value of his simple cloak, while the cloak was Abadar’s permanently.
Commerce, when conducted wisely, can accomplish what neither force nor gentle persuasion alone can achieve, and with minimal deadweight loss.
The North Wind, the Sun, and Abadar
One day, the North Wind and the Sun argued about which of them was the strongest. Abadar, the god of commerce and civilization, stopped to observe their dispute. “Why don’t we settle this fairly?” he suggested. “Let us see who can compel that traveler on the road below to remove his cloak.”
The North Wind agreed, and with a mighty gust, he began his effort. The man, feeling the bitter chill, clutched his cloak tightly around him and even pulled it over his head to protect himself from the relentless wind. After a time, the North Wind gave up, frustrated.
Then the Sun tried his turn. Beaming warmly from the heavens, the Sun caused the air to grow pleasant and balmy. The man, feeling the growing heat, loosened his cloak and eventually took it off in the heat, resting under the shade of a tree. The Sun began to declare victory, but as soon as he turned away, the man put on the cloak again.
The god of commerce then approached the traveler and bought the cloak for five gold coins. The traveler tucked the money away and continued on his way, unbothered by either wind or heat. He soon bought a new cloak and invested the remainder in an index fund. The returns were steady, and in time the man prospered far beyond the value of his simple cloak, while the cloak was Abadar’s permanently.
Commerce, when conducted wisely, can accomplish what neither force nor gentle persuasion alone can achieve, and with minimal deadweight loss.