RELIGION

        Religion is as old as man. It is based on the instincts of man. It gives him solace and contentment. It is a food for his soul. Every religion has a set of beliefs and a code of customs, rituals and ceremonies. The followers do not question the veracity of these beliefs. In fact, they develop a blind faith in these beliefs. Though the progress of science has made people doubt the relevance of religion in today’s world, yet the protagonists of religion are not prepared to give it up. They cling to it more firmly. Thus, religion continues to survive in the world side by side with science.

UNION IS STRENGTH

      Once there was a rich farmer had five grown-up sons. As he was getting old, he wanted them to help him in his work. But the sons were always quarreling among themselves over who would do what to help the old father in his work.

      As the old farmer lay dying, he called all his sons at his bedside. When they had collected, he asked them to take a bundle of sticks from under his bed. He untied the bundle and asked them to break the sticks one by one. This was an easy work to do. The sons picked up the sticks one by one and broke them into pieces. They were happy and pleased with themselves.

       The old farmer then asked them to take out another bundle of sticks from under his bed and asked them to break it. The sons tried by turns. But they couldn’t break the bundle. At last, they gave up and looked at their father.

       The old farmer explained to them how it was easy to break the individual sticks but very difficult to break the bundle as a whole. If they went their separate ways after his death, it would be easier to defeat them one by one. But if they stayed together as one single unit and worked together, they would be able to overcome all opposition.

        In this way, he taught them the value of staying together and the lesson: Union is Strength.