The Father and His Sons

: Aesop's Fables

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. 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."



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