Aesop fable

The Father and His Sons

A short fable about why it is easier to face difficulties together.

A father told his sons to live in peace with one another, but they did not listen.

So he asked them to bring him a broom and said:

A father holds a broom in front of his sons

“Break it.”

No matter how hard they tried, they could not break the whole broom.

The sons try to break the whole broom

Then the father untied the broom and told them to break the twigs one by one.

The sons easily break single twigs

They broke the separate twigs easily.

Then the father said:

“So it is with you: if you live in agreement, no one will overcome you. But if you quarrel and each stands alone, anyone can harm you easily.”