The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain

    By Josephine Antiporta

    The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain cover image

    12 May, 2024

    a plant growing out of a mound of dirt in a field with a sun in the background and clouds in the sky, environmental art, a storybook illustration, David Martin, rossdraws global illumination

    The Sun, the Wind and the Rain found themselves gazing at a small plant. The Sun boasted, 'This plant needs me the most to grow.'

    a painting of a sun setting over a river with a plant growing out of it's ground and rocks, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, sun

    Upon hearing this, the Rain quickly responded, 'Yes, you are important, but without water this plant will surely die.'

    a painting of a sun setting over a rural road with flowers and trees on either side of the road, precisionism, a storybook illustration, David A Hardy, sun

    The Wind, feeling a bit left out, also reacted, 'Yes, you two are crucial, but this plant needs me too. I believe it needs me the most.'

    a painting of a sun setting over a field of grass with clouds in the sky above it and a sun in the middle of the sky, naturalism, a comic book panel, Dan Mumford, sun

    The three found themselves in a heated debate. To settle the argument, the Sun proposed an idea to test who the plant needed the most.

    a plant growing out of a pile of dirt in the middle of a field with the sun in the background, naturalism, a storybook illustration, Don Bluth, sun

    The Sun went first. It shone brightly, and the plant seemed to enjoy it. But as the Sun became harsher, the plant started wilting.

    a plant sprouts from a rock in a desert landscape with mountains in the background and sun shining, environmental art, a poster, David Martin, promotional image

    Noticing the plant's distress, the Sun immediately withdrew its rays, allowing the plant to recover.

    a plant sprouts from a pile of rocks in the rain with water droplets on it and a green leaf, environmental art, a digital painting, Cyril Rolando, highly detailed digital painting

    Next, the Rain started to pour. The plant seemed to recover with the first few drops, but as the Rain continued, the plant began to drown.

    a plant growing out of a pile of dirt in the rain with water droplets on it and a green leafy plant, environmental art, a digital rendering, Cyril Rolando, rain

    Seeing the plant struggling, the Rain stopped immediately, feeling guilty for causing such distress.

    a plant is growing in a puddle of water with rain falling down on it and grass and rocks in the background, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, plants

    Finally, the Wind took its turn. It started to blow, drying the waterlogged area around the plant, which gave the plant relief.

    a cartoon of a tree on a hill with a sky background and clouds in the background, with a sunburst in the sky, environmental art, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, wind

    But the Wind didn't stop and blew harder. The plant struggled to stay upright. Seeing the plant's struggle, the Wind stopped, filled with regret.

    a painting of a sun shining over a field of grass and plants with rocks and grass growing on the ground, photorealism, a detailed painting, Alena Aenami, rain

    The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain realized their mistake. They understood that they were all equally important for the plant's growth.

    a painting of a flower in a field with a sun in the background and clouds in the sky above, sots art, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, rossdraws global illumination

    They learned that neither of them was more important than the other and the plant needed all three of them to grow and thrive.

    The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain