We all know the story of the farmer and his quarrelling sons. These sons could easily break a single piece of stick; but when several sticks were made into a bundle, none of them could break it. The sons learnt the lesson that union is strength and gave up their quarrels. Unfortunately we do not always apply this lesson to our personal lives. We quarrel with our relatives, which enables our enemies to ruin us all easily. If instead we remain united, nobody will be able to do us any harm. In fact, it is the principle of 'union is strength' that is the basis of nationhood. Men at first lived alone. In course of time they formed themselves first into tribes, and then into nations, for greater strength and greater security. But a weak nation falls a prey to a stronger one. So the nations again combine themselves into blocks for still greater security. India has always suffered for want of unity among her people. There was no dearth of great heroes at any time in this country; but they either quarrelled among themselves or remained aloof in each other's difficulties. That is why she could be easily conquered by one invader after another. It seems we have not learnt the lesson yet as a nation. We quarrel among ourselves on questions of regional interests. Unless we give up these petty quarrels and unite with one another, the sad history of the past may be repeated.
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