AN Old Man, afflicted1 with a family of contentious2 Sons, brought in

　　a bundle of sticks and asked the young men to break it. After

　　repeated efforts they confessed that it could not be done.

　　"Behold," said the Old Man, "the advantage of unity3; as long as

　　these sticks are in alliance they are invincible4, but observe how

　　feeble they are individually."

　　Pulling a single stick from the bundle, he broke it easily upon the

　　head of the eldest5 Son, and this he repeated until all had been

　　served.