Strong or Weak There was a proud teak tree in the forest. He was tall and strong.
There was a small herb next to the tree. The teak tree said, I am very handsome and strong. No one can defeat me. Hearing this the herb replied, Dear friend, too much pride is harmful. Even the strong will fall one day. The teak ignored the herbs words. He continued to praise himself. A strong wind blew. The teak stood firmly. Even when it rained, the teak stood strong by spreading its leaves. At the same time, the herb bowed low. The teak made fun of the herb. One day there was a storm in the forest. The herb bowed low. As usual the teak did not want to bow. The storm kept growing stronger. The teak could no longer bear it. He felt his strength giving way. He fell down. This was the end of the proud tree. When everything was calm the herb stood straight. He looked around. He saw the proud teak had fallen.
Fools It was a cold and silent night. The weather was freezing. A group of monkeys were on a tree. They were clinging to its branches. One of the monkeys said, I wish we could find some fire. It will help us to keep warm. Suddenly they noticed a flock of fireflies. One of the young monkeys thought it was fire. He caught a firefly. He put it under a dry leaf and started blowing at it. Some other monkeys also joined in his effort. A sparrow came flying to its nest. The monkeys were sitting on the same tree. She noticed what they were doing. The sparrow laughed. She said, Hey silly monkeys that is a firefly, not real fire. The sparrow continued: I think all of you should take shelter in a cave. The monkeys did not listen to the sparrow. They continued to blow at our poor firefly. After some time the monkeys became very tired. Now they realized what the sparrow had said was correct. They set free the firefly and moved to a nearby cave.
The Bundle of Sticks A father had a family of sons who were always quarreling among themselves. When he failed to solve their fights with his advice, he decided to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the bundle into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength, but were not able to do it. Next, he opened the bundle, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, and asked them to break it, and they could do so very easily. He then told them: "My sons, if you stay together and help each other, you will be as strong as this bundle, and no enemy can beat you; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks." The sons understood the message, thanked, and promised the father to always be together no matter what. Moral: Union gives strength.
