# The Old Man and His Three Sons - Link: https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-old-man-and-his-three-sons/ - Published: 2026-10-30T02:33:05+05:30 - Author: MAHENDRA MANCHIKALAPATI [English Language Lab](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/)/[Stories for Kids](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/)/ [Moral Stories & Fables](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/)/ The Old Man and His Three Sons ✦A fresh retelling of the bundle-of-sticks fable # The Old Man and His Three Sons An old man uses a bundle of twigs to show his three grown sons how shared effort can be stronger than endless arguments. 📖 4-minute read🍃 Ages 5–11✨ Cooperation and respect [Begin reading ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-old-man-and-his-three-sons/#sf-story-text) [More moral stories & fables](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/) ![An elderly father shows a tied bundle of twigs to his three adult sons during a warm conversation in a village courtyard.](https://thecuriosi.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2026/10/old-man-and-three-sons-illustration.png) **Many small strengths together**Read together · Retell · Imagine Settle in and read at your pace A story to read together ## The Old Man and His Three Sons Take your time. Let the story unfold. Three grown brothers lived near their father’s small house. All three cared about the family, but they disagreed so often that even simple jobs became arguments. One wanted everything done quickly. Another wanted a detailed plan before anyone began. The youngest noticed small problems that the others sometimes missed. Each was convinced that the family would do better if everyone simply followed him. Chapter one ### The unfinished wall After a windy night, part of the garden wall needed repair. The eldest began stacking stones before the others arrived. The middle brother said the base was uneven. The youngest pointed out that a gap was needed for rainwater to drain. Soon they were speaking over one another. By midday, very little had been repaired. Their father watched from the shade. He heard three useful concerns buried beneath the quarrel: speed, a steady base, and a way for water to flow. He called them into the courtyard and asked each to bring a few dry twigs. Chapter two ### The tied bundle Their father tied the twigs into a firm bundle and passed it to the eldest. “Can you break these with your hands?” The eldest tried gently, then shook his head. The middle brother tried next, and the youngest after him. The twigs bent together but stayed whole. “Now untie the cord,” their father said. He gave each son a single twig. This time, the dry sticks snapped easily. The brothers looked at the loose pieces and then at the cord lying on their father’s knee. Chapter three ### More than standing together “The bundle is stronger because the twigs support one another,” their father said.“ But working together means more than standing in the same place. You must listen well enough to use what each person knows.” The youngest asked whether that meant they should always agree. “No,” their father replied. “A sensible disagreement can show you something important. The trouble begins when winning the argument matters more than solving the problem.” The brothers thought about the wall. Each had noticed something real, but none had stopped to hear the whole plan. Chapter four ### A job they could share They returned to the garden and examined the ground together. The middle brother helped plan a level base. The eldest carried and sorted suitable stones. The youngest marked a clear drainage gap, and they asked an experienced neighbour to check their plan. They took turns building and checking the work. When they disagreed, they paused and explained why. By evening, the repaired section stood firm. Their father placed a small tied bundle on the courtyard shelf. The family still had different opinions, but the bundle reminded them that listening could turn separate strengths into useful shared work. The end ### Story path [01The unfinished wall](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-old-man-and-his-three-sons/#sf-chapter-the-unfinished-wall) [02The tied bundle](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-old-man-and-his-three-sons/#sf-chapter-the-tied-bundle) [03More than standing together](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-old-man-and-his-three-sons/#sf-chapter-more-than-standing-together) [04A job they could share](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-old-man-and-his-three-sons/#sf-chapter-a-job-they-could-share) ### Word basket **bundle**several things gathered and held together **quarrel**an angry disagreement **support**to help something or someone stay steady **drainage**a way for extra water to flow away **Read it together** Use the bundle as a picture of mutual support, not a demand for everyone to agree. Ask how each brother’s different concern improved the final plan. ## After the final page There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine. Remember What useful concern did each brother have about the wall? Think What changed when the twigs were tied together? Imagine How can people disagree respectfully while still helping one another? **Make something:** Draw three different strengths on three paper strips. Join the strips into a paper chain and name a project those strengths could help complete. [← Previous storyThe Donkey and the Load of Salt](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-donkey-and-the-load-of-salt/) [Browse all stories ↗](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/) [Next story →The Proud Rose](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/moral-stories-and-fables/the-proud-rose/) Share this