The Bundle of Sticks

Once upon a time, in a teeny-weeny village, there lived a farmer. Now, this wasn't just any farmer. Oh no, he had a farm so big, if you tried to see it all in one go, you’d need a pair of binoculars, a map, and a snack for the journey. And on this farm, he grew everything from ticklish tomatoes to dancing potatoes. Everyone thought he must be doing a victory dance every morning because, besides his vast farm, he had three sons. They were as handsome as princes from fairy tales.

But, here's the twist: the farmer wasn’t dancing. He was more worried than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Why? His sons were experts in the ancient art of arguing. Morning, noon, and night, they’d argue about anything. "The sky is blue!" "No, it's more of a periwinkle!"

On a particularly sunny day, so sunny the sun itself was wearing sunglasses, the farmer had a lightbulb moment. He gathered a bunch of sticks and tied them into a bundle tougher than a math problem on a Monday morning.

He called his sons over. "Boys," he said, "I have a challenge for you." He presented the bundle of sticks with a flourish as if he was revealing the secret to unlimited candy.

The sons, taking turns like knights facing a dragon, pulled and tugged at the bundle. They huffed and they puffed, but the bundle was more stubborn than a donkey on a lazy day. It didn't break.

Panting and with egos bruised, they gave up. "Dad, this is harder than trying to put socks on a chicken," complained the youngest.

With a twinkle in his eye, the farmer untied the bundle and handed each son a single stick. "Try now," he suggested, as if revealing the next act in a magic show.

Snap! The sticks broke easier than a promise to wake up early on a weekend.

The oldest, scratching his head so much you’d think he was trying to wind up his brain, finally asked, "Dad, what's all this about? Were we auditioning for the 'World's Weakest Stick Breakers'?"

The farmer, smiling like he had just won the lottery of teaching moments, shared his wisdom. "My sons, when you're together, you're like this bundle of sticks – unbreakable, stronger than a superhero team. But if you keep bickering and standing alone, you’re as easy to defeat as these single sticks. Imagine, together, you could be the ultimate team, like knights, wizards, and, yes, even dragons, all rolled into one!"

The sons, now with light bulbs popping above their heads too, realized what their clever dad was getting at. They looked at each other, not as rivals in a never-ending debate, but as teammates in the world's coolest adventure.

From that day, they decided to stick together, thicker than peanut butter on toast, supporting each other through thick and thin, turning their trio into an unbeatable squad.

Once there lived a farmer wise and grand,
With a big farm and crops across the land.
He had three sons, quite handsome to the eye,
Yet, their constant quarrels made him sigh.

One sunny day, an idea did bloom,
He gathered some sticks, a plan in the room.
He tied them in a bundle, firm and tight,
Asked his sons to break it with all their might.

They pulled and they pushed, but none could succeed,
The bundle of sticks wouldn't break indeed.
The farmer then, with a clever mind's trick,
Gave each a single stick, thin and quick.

“Now, try again,” he said with a smile,
And snap! They broke easily, stick by pile.
Confused, the oldest son had to inquire,
“Father, what lesson do you desire?”

The farmer, wise, spoke of strength and might,
“Together, you’re strong, enduring the fight.
But divided, like sticks, you’ll easily break.
Stay united, for your own sake.”

The sons understood, their eyes wide and bright,
Promised to support, never to fight.
From that day on, their bond was unshaken,
Together as one, they could not be taken.