Bundle of Sticks

Old man: I am the old man. I have three children. These are my children.

First son: I am the first son. My name is Ali. (Introduces himself)

Second daughter: I am the second daughter. My name is Lily. (Introduces herself)

Little daughter: I am the little daughter. My name is Fifi. (Introduces herself)

Old man: But my three children are always fighting with each other. What should I do? (Sad face)

First son, second daughter, little daughter: (Fighting and quarrelling with each other)

Old man: I am so worried about my children. I have to think of an idea to make them realise they should stop fighting and love each other. (Walking and thinking)

Old man: Oh, I have an idea! Ali, Lily, Fifi, three of you come here. (Hands them a bundle of stick)

Old man: Now, I want each of you try to break this bundle of sticks.

First son: It’s so easy. Let me try this. Hmm… (Tries with all strength but unable to break the sticks)

Second daughter: Let me try this. Hmm… I couldn’t break this too. (Tries with all strength but unable to break the sticks)

Little daughter: Both of you are so weak. Let me try this. Hmm, I couldn’t break this too! (Tries with all strength but unable to break the sticks)

Old man: Now, each of you try to break this stick.(Hands over a stick to each of them)

First son: Oh, I can break it easily. (Breaks the stick)

Second daughter: This is so easy to break. (Breaks the stick)

Little daughter: I can break it too. (Breaks the stick)

Old man: Do you all understand why I want you to do this, my children?

First son, second daughter, little daughter: (Shake their heads)

Old man: This bundle of sticks is just like three of you. If you all stay together and help each other, you will be strong as this bundle.

First son: Oh, now I understand. If we are divided among ourselves, we will become weak.

Second daughter: Yes, yes. We will be broken as easily as a stick.

Little daughter: Now we understand, father.

First son, second daughter, and little daughter: We are sorry, father. We promise you that we will never fight with each other again. We will love each other from now on.