The Bundle of Chopsticks and the Dying Wish

That night, in a humble thatched-roof cottage in a poor village, a dim oil lamp flickered weakly. On a bamboo bed lay an old man, his breath faint, his sunken eyes gazing up at the ceiling. Surrounding the bed, his seven sons and daughters—all now grown—stood in silence, watching their father, each choked with emotion. They knew their father’s time was near, yet no one dared to speak the words.

The old man was over eighty years old, having toiled his entire life to raise his children. He had witnessed too many times how brothers in the village, fighting over scraps of food or pieces of land, bred resentment that weakened entire families. He had long wished to impart one precious lesson to his children before closing his eyes forever. But mere words could be easily forgotten; he wanted a lasting, unforgettable teaching.

With effort, he lifted himself slightly, his voice hoarse and weak as he called out, “Children, come here. Father needs your help.” The seven children hurried to his side. With a trembling, skeletal hand, he pointed toward a bundle of chopsticks resting on a wooden table beside the bed. “Take this bundle,” he said. “Each of you, try to break it in one attempt.”

The eldest son was surprised, but he obeyed. He took the bundle, channeled all his strength into his hands, and strained to break it. The bundle remained intact, only bending slightly. He shook his head and passed it to the second child. The second child also tried his utmost, his face flushing red, but the bundle showed no sign of breaking. One by one, each child tried, sweating with exertion, yet none could break the bundle.

The old man watched his children, a faint smile gracing his lips. Slowly, he braced himself and sat up. He reached out with his trembling hand and took the bundle from the youngest child’s grasp. He separated the bundle, then gently broke each chopstick one by one. Dry, sharp cracks filled the room as each stick snapped in his hand. Though his breath was very weak, his eyes shone with a deep, unwavering belief.

He looked up at his children, his voice threadbare yet powerful. “Do you see? No one could break the bundle when it was together. But once separated, a slight force is enough to break each one. Remember this lesson. Siblings are like this bundle. You must be united, love and support each other. If you become divided, each going your own way, then even one malicious outsider could defeat you one by one. But if you learn to rely on one another, no one can harm you.”

After speaking, the old man slumped with exhaustion, falling back onto the bed. His eyes slowly closed, yet a smile still lingered on his lips. His children looked at one another, tears rolling down their faces. They understood their father had departed, but the lesson of the bundle of chopsticks would remain in their minds forever.

From that day on, the seven children always remembered their father’s words. They lived in harmony, worked together, and supported one another. Despite life’s hardships, they never allowed discord to arise. And they passed on the lesson of the bundle of chopsticks to their own children and grandchildren, ensuring that family affection remained strong for many generations.

**The Meaning of the Story**

The story of the bundle of chopsticks offers a profound lesson on the power of unity. When we join forces, united in purpose and heart, we can overcome any difficulty. Conversely, if we are divided, each with a different mind, even a small impact can make us crumble. Division always weakens, while unity is the invincible strength for building a lasting family, society, and nation.

*Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang.*