The Bundle of Sticks

An old man lived with his three sons in a quiet village. Despite their father’s constant pleas, the sons fought with each other every single day. They argued over chores, over food, and over who was the strongest.

Knowing his time was drawing near, the old man called his sons to his bedside. He handed the oldest son a tight bundle of wooden sticks. "Break this bundle in half," he commanded.

The oldest son strained and pushed, his face turning red, but the bundle did not snap. The second son tried, and then the youngest, but none could break the sticks. They handed it back to their father, declaring the task impossible.

The old man smiled faintly. He untied the string binding the bundle and handed one stick to each son. "Now, break them," he said. The sons easily snapped the individual sticks over their knees.

"You see," the old man whispered. "When you are divided and fighting amongst yourselves, you are as weak as a single twig. But if you stand together, bound by love and unity, no force on earth can break you." The sons finally understood, and from that day, they never argued again.