Bundle of Sticks

A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among
themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by talking to them,
he was determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils
of disunion

One day, he told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had
done so, he tied it together with rope and placed the entire bunch of
sticks 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 then untied the bunch and 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 bunch, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks'.