In plain words
Each one came. He used a great deal of strength. He could not break the bundle of firewood. In the same way he called all five. The five came, used their strength, and could not break the bundle of firewood. Then he took out a stick on its own and called them one by one. He gave each a stick. They broke the separate stick in a moment. They broke all the sticks of the bundle. Then the father said: ‘When all the sticks are together in one bundle, nobody can break them. When each stick is separate, anyone can break it. In the same way, if the five of you are one, nobody can do anything to you. When you are apart, everyone will despise you. From now on, all of you, stay together,’ he taught them. If all are together, there is great strength. Many threads have come together in this cloth. Because all the threads have come together, it is hard to tear. Take out a single thread and you can snap it with two fingers. Unity is strength. Practice is the quality that counts. This unity must be put into practice. Only then will our country be an ideal. The life of a student will take shape as an ideal. Wherever the young go, there will be no room for unrest. I am saying this because the chance has come. Today when five students walk together in the bazaar, their talk can be heard even by those cooking in the kitchen. They go along shouting like this. Are these students or a gang of rowdies? How peacefully students should live! They must not give unrest to anyone else. Those who behave without giving unrest to others are true students. They must behave with great respect and good manners. They must respect their elders and love their parents. They must respect their fellow men.
The Veda taught unity
Love for the country must grow. This is the strength of the nation. Every student must take a vow: ‘This is the country I was born in; I must protect it.’
This is my motherland, this is my dear mother tongue, this is my faith: who cannot say so, beating his breast, is there one such soul alive upon this earth!