The Father and His Sons

英语自学网

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.
        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."