The Dying Father and the Unbreakable Bundle of Sticks
Read the beginning lines and complete the classic moral story:
An elderly farmer had four sons who were constantly quarreling with one another over trivial matters. Their persistent bickering broke the old man’s heart and left the family vulnerable to greedy neighbors. As the farmer lay on his deathbed, he resolved to impart an unforgettable final lesson on the power of unity...
Completed Story:
The father summoned his sons to his bedside and instructed a servant to bring a tight bundle of wooden sticks bound together with stout cord. Handing the bundle to his eldest son, the farmer said, "My son, try with all your might to break this bundle in two." The strong young man strained with all his muscles, but the bundle remained unbroken. One by one, the other three brothers attempted the task, but none could fracture the bound sticks.
Then the father smiled faintly and commanded, "Now, untie the cord and hand each brother a single stick." The cord was untied, and each son held an individual wooden stick. "Now, break them," the father instructed. With a simple flick of their wrists: snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap! snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap! snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap! snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap!" data-translation="" title="বাংলা অর্থ দেখতে ক্লিক করুন"> snap! Every stick splintered into pieces with effortless ease.
Looking affectionately at his sons, the dying father said, "Behold the power of unity, my children! As long as you remain united in love and brotherhood, no enemy on earth can overpower you, just like the bound bundle. But if you divide and quarrel, you will be shattered as easily as these isolated sticks."
The brothers wept in remorse, embraced one another, and swore to live in perpetual harmony, honoring their father's wisdom.