The Father and His Sons

A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When his attempts to resolve their disputes through exhortation failed, he decided to give them a practical demonstration of the dangers of disunity.

One day, he asked them to bring him a bundle of sticks. Once they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each son in succession and instructed them to break it apart. They tried with all their strength but were unable to do so.

Next, he opened the bundle and took the sticks out one by one. He then handed these individual sticks back to his sons, who were able to break them easily.

He then addressed them with these words: "My sons, if you are of one mind and unite to assist each other, you will be as strong as this faggot, impervious to the attempts of your enemies. However, if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks."