The Father and His Sons

Moral: United we stand, divided we fall.

Well, dear old dad needs some peace and quiet, and being the wise father thought maybe if he could just get his kids working together they would argue less and be quieter. In doing so he then relates a simple example that illustrates more to it than just the value of working together. There is a lot to say here about family ties as well, the strength of the family when it is working together.  You may even make the allusion of that the ties that bind the sticks are the ties that bind families. These are strong bindings, emotions and family honor, and are what ultimately make up a happy family.

The basic concept is also the complement to “divide and conquer” or “divide and rule”.  Or the sticks can be an example of “strength in numbers” and so there are many of topics to talk about. Concepts like teamwork and cooperation can easily be interpreted from this simple fable.

What about the individual sticks? Is there something to be said for them? Sure. We could expand the sticks into different types of sticks. Willow sticks are flexible and giving. Sticks from and oak are strong on their own, but stronger together. Some sticks are fragrant and sweet, some are just your average stick and happy to be part of the bundle. You can even say that twigs are powerful when banded together, illustrating that even the meek may be a force to reckon with if sufficient numbers band together.

I have to admit this is one of my favorite fables because it can take on so many different aspects. I tell it to my daughter and friends, her softball team and such. There are just so many ways to spin this one that you could talk about it all day.

Original:
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.