A farmer had four sons who were always quarrelling among themselves. The farmer worried about it a great deal.
One day he called his four sons and had some thin sticks brought. He tied them with a rope into a bundle.
Then he said, “Whoever can break this bundle will get a reward.” One by one the four strained with all their strength, but none could break it.
Now the farmer untied the bundle, separated the sticks and gave each son one stick, saying, “Break this.” Each broke it easily.
The farmer explained, “As long as you stay together, no one can harm you. But if you are apart, anyone can defeat you.” The sons realised their mistake and began to live in harmony.