The Bundle of Sticks
A father whose sons are always quarreling asks for a bundle of sticks tied with a cord, and none of them can break it. When he unties it and gives them the sticks one by one, each stick snaps easily, and he tells them that together no one can break them.
Scene 1: Always Quarreling
The Bundle of Sticks. A father had a family of sons who were always quarreling among themselves. He talked to them kindly, but nothing he said did any good. So he thought of a way to show them.
Scene 2: Bring Me a Bundle
One day, the quarreling was worse than ever. The father said to one of his sons: “Bring me a bundle of sticks.” The son brought the sticks, tied tightly together with a cord.
Scene 3: Break It!
The father handed the bundle to each son in turn. He said: “Break it.” Each son strained and strained with all his strength. But not one of them could break the bundle.
Scene 4: One by One
Then the father untied the cord. He gave his sons the sticks, one by one, and said: “Now, break.” Snap! Snap! Snap! Each stick broke easily.
Scene 5: In Unity Is Strength
The father said: “My sons, if you stand together and help each other, no one can break you.” Then he said: “But if you quarrel, you will be as weak as one single stick.” In unity is strength.
Moral: In unity is strength.
Questions about The Bundle of Sticks
What did the sons always do?
They quarreled among themselves.
What did the father ask one son to bring?
A bundle of sticks.
What was the bundle tied with?
A cord.
Could the sons break the whole bundle?
No, not one of them could.
What happened when each son had just one stick?
Each stick broke easily.
More stories to read aloud
- The Lion and the Mouse — A Lion catches a little Mouse but laughs and lets her go when she promises to repay him.
- The Hare and the Tortoise — A boastful Hare laughs at the slow Tortoise, so the Tortoise challenges him to a race.
- Belling the Cat — The Mice hold a council and a young Mouse has a clever plan: hang a bell about the Cat’s neck.