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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."