The Old Man and His Sons

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

The story "The Old Man and His Sons" by Dorothy Price, with illustrations by Selby Otire, is a poignant fable that transcends cultural boundaries to deliver a timeless message about unity and the strength found in brotherhood. Originally presented in Tok Pisin Fiction and copyrighted in 2000 by SIL PNG, this narrative explores the dynamics of a family whose four sons are perpetually engaged in conflict. Despite the father's repeated pleas for peace, the brothers' discord persists, highlighting a common human struggle for harmony. In a pivotal moment, the father devises a profound lesson to illustrate the importance of their bond. He presents his sons with a bundle of sticks, challenging each to break it. Despite their utmost efforts, individually, none of the sons can splinter the tightly bound collection. This initial failure sets the stage for the father's wise intervention. He then unties the bundle, distributing a single stick to each son, and instructs them to break their individual sticks. With ease, each son snaps his stick, demonstrating their individual strength when separated. The father then articulates the moral of his lesson: "When the vines of brotherly love bind you together, not many things can break your strength. But by yourself alone, you are not strong." This powerful analogy underscores the profound truth that unity and mutual support are essential for resilience and overcoming adversity. The story serves as a potent reminder that while individual strength has its limits, collective solidarity creates an unbreakable force. The narrative's simple yet profound message resonates with readers of all ages, urging them to cherish and nurture their relationships, for in unity lies their greatest power.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

The Old Man and His Sons

Story by Dorothy Price

Illustrations by Selby Otire

The Tale

FAQs

What is the main conflict in the story "The Old Man and His Sons"?

The main conflict is that the old man's four sons are constantly arguing and fighting with one another, despite their father's pleas for peace.

What object does the father use to teach his sons a lesson?

The father uses a bundle of sticks to teach his sons a lesson about unity and strength. He first challenges them to break the bundle, which they cannot, and then challenges them to break individual sticks after the bundle is untied, which they can easily do.

What is the moral of the story "The Old Man and His Sons"?

The moral of the story is that unity and brotherly love create strength, and that individuals alone are not as strong as they are when they are bound together in solidarity.

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel