Questão 12

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The bundle of sticks

A father had a family of sons who were always fighting among themselves. When he failed to end their disputes by his warnings, he determined 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

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succession, and ordered them to break it

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pieces. They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it.

He next opened the bundle, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons’ hands, upon which they broke them easily.

He then addressed them

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these words: “My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this bundle, unhurt by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.”

(www.umass.edu. Adaptado.)

O trecho do segundo parágrafo “They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it” indica que os filhos