A Bundle¹ of Sticks

一捆树枝

A man once had four sons who never stopped quarrelling with one another.

从前有一个人，他有四个儿子，但儿子们不断地争吵。

He was always telling them how much easier life would be if they worked together but they took absolutely no notice of him.

他一再告诫他们说，如果他们一起干活儿，生活会舒适得多，但他们丝毫不理会他的意见。

One day he decided² to show them what he meant.

有一天，他决定通过示范把自己的意思告诉他们。

He called all the sons together and put a tightly³ tied bundle of sticks on the floor in front of them.

他把四个儿子都叫来，又把一捆扎得很紧的树枝放在他们面前。

"Can you break that?" he asked the youngest son. The boy put his knee on the bundle but though he pressed and pulled with his arms he could not bend the wood.

“你能折断这个吗？H他问最小的儿子。小儿子用膝盖顶住，两只手又压又拉，都不能把那捆树枝弄弯。

The father asked each son in turn to try to break the bundle, but none of them could do it .

父亲让另外三个儿子挨个儿试了试，但他们谁也做不到。

Then he untied⁴ the string and scattered⁵ the sticks.

然后，他解开绳子，把树枝撒开。

"Now try,"he said. The boys broke the sticks easily in their hands.

¨现在试试吧。¨他说。四个小伙子用手轻轻一撅，树枝就断了。

"Do you see what I mean?" asked the father. "If only you stand together no one can hurt you .

¨你们明白我的意思了吗？”父亲问，¨只要你们联合起来，谁也不能伤害你们。

If you all disagree the whole time and insist on going your separate⁶ ways, the first enemy you meet will be able to destroy you.'

如果你们老吵架，坚持各行其是，那么你们一遇到敌人，就会被打败。¨