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.
