Crippled Fables

I

A labourer was getting fed up of seeing his farm animals forever bickering so he decided he would teach them a lesson. He told the cat, the dog, the chicken, the rabbit and the duck to gather a bundle of sticks and bring them back to him.

Reluctantly, they did what was asked, carrying back what they could between their jaws and beaks. Once every stick was laid down in a pile, bundled on top of each other, they stepped back to wait for their master’s instruction.

Feeling a great sense of reverence he spoke.

‘These bundles together represent strength and unity. As a group, they are difficult to break or snap. Imagine how strong you would all be if you worked together?’

Feeling providence on his shoulders, he stepped forward and took some sticks off the bundle and laid one out in front of each animal.

‘Divided, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.  Now, see for yourself, how easy it is to break them.’

They stared up at him blankly.

‘Shit. I forgot you don’t have hands.’

 

Not all Fables work well with animals. 

 

 

 

 

 

II

A labourer was getting fed up of seeing his four sons constantly bickering so he decided he would teach them a lesson. He told each of his sons to go out and gather a bundle of sticks and bring them back to him.

Reluctantly, they did what was asked, carrying back their own bundle and resting it in front of their father’s feet.

Bundles laid down, they stepped back to wait for their father’s instruction.

Feeling a great sense of reverence he spoke. ‘These bundles together represent strength and unity. They work as a group and so become difficult to break or snap. Imagine how strong you would all be if you worked together?’

Feeling providence on his shoulders, he stepped forward and took a single stick from his eldest son’s bundle and handed it to him. He did the same to the other sons, taking from their bundles.

‘Divided, you will be broken as easily as these sticks. Now, see for yourself, how easy it is to break them.’ He watched them bend the sticks until both ends met.

‘Shit, fucking Bamboo again.’

 

Some sticks stand strong on their own. Get over it.