The Father and His Sons

• A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations,
• he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him
• a bundle of sticks [a faggot]. When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession,
• and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it.
• He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands,
• upon which they broke them easily. He then addressed them in these words: "My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other,
• you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves,
• you will be broken as easily as these sticks." The End.