1.A man had seven sons,who were always quarreling. They left their studies and work,to quarrel among themselves. Some bad men were looking forward to the death of their father,to cheat1 them out of their property2 by making them quarrel about it.
1Cheat,deceive,wrong.
2Property,that which one owns-whether land,goods,or money.
2.The good old man,one day,called his sons around him. He laid before them seven sticks,which were bound together. He said,"I will pay a hundred dollars to the one who can break this bundle1."
3.Each one strained every nerve2 to break the bundle. After along but vain trial,they all said that it could not be done.
4."And yet,my boys," said the father,"nothing is easier to do." He then untied the bundle,and broke the sticks,one by one,with perfect ease.
5."Ah!" said his sons,"it is easy enough to do it so; anybody could do it in that way."
6.Their father replied,"As it is with these sticks,so is it with you,my sons. So long as you hold fast together and aid each other,you will prosper3,and none can injure you.
7."But if the bond of union4 be broken,it will happen to youjust as it has to these sticks,which lie here broken on the ground." Home,city,country,all are prosperous found, When by the powerful link of union bound.