FABLES. 



THE OLD MAX AND HIS SONS. 



AN Old Man had several Sons, who were con- 

 stantly quarrelling with each other, notwithstanding 

 he used every means in his po\ver to persuade them 

 to cease their contentions, and to live in amity 

 together. At last he had recourse to the following 

 expedient : He ordered his Sons to be called 

 before him, and a bundle of sticks to be brought, 

 and then commanded them to try if, with all their 

 strength, any of them could break it. They all 

 tried, but without effect : for the sticks being closely 

 and compactly bound together, it was impossible 

 for the force of man to break them. After this, 

 the Father ordered the bundle to be untied, and 

 gave a single stick to each of his Sons, at the same 

 time bidding them try to break it. This they did 

 with ease, and soon snapped every stick asunder. 

 The Father then addressed them to this effect : 



