The Farmer and His Sons Story With Moral For Kids

Govind was an old farmer who lived in a small village with vast fields and little pathways made of mud. It was not his wealth that made him be known in the village, but rather his work and patience. His arenas were never grandest, his home was plain, and his attire always lost color due to years of working under the sun. But Govind made a dignified life, as he knew that nothing as a man's bottom passion could be stronger than straightforward labour.

Govind had four sons. They were young men and good ones, and one skilled and the other skilled. But even though they had learned to live together under the same roof they did not resemble each other. And that disparity was the biggest concern of Govind's life.

The first born son, Ramesh, was proud and ambitious. In his opinion, intelligence was more important than work and he tended to find ways to get short-cuts in life. Suresh was the second son who was brilliant at talking yet idle at working. He enjoyed giving instructions but not working. Mahesh was the third son who was a hot-tempered son who was impatient. He would explode instantly, if things did not turn out according to his expectations. The youngest, Dinesh, was genial-minded, and easily carried along, and tended to go along with which of the brothers talked the most.

Govind could not stop thinking of his sons quarrelling at an angle, each time he watched them. It was a struggle over trifles, who would pull up in the fields, who was deserving then was more than the rest, who labored more than the rest. Both sons knew that they were right and no one was ready to hear each other.

Several times Govind attempted to counsel them. His words were well put, he talked softly, and firmly, but the listeners were deaf.

Times have changed, father, times have changed, Ramesh used to say. Success does not come by merely working hard.

We can get on, Suresh would say, but in a state of yawning.

Mahesh would close his fist and leave whereas Dinesh would silently trail one of his brothers without knowing whom to believe.

Govind was getting older as the years went by. He lost his strength, his steps were slow and his back bent. One night in winter, having come home after his fields, he was abnormally tired. He also sat on the cot in front of his own place of residence gazing at the dying sky. It was at that time, the man realised something really alarming, that he had a short time to live, and that his sons were not prepared to go through life together.

Govind was not able to sleep that night. His mind circled ever about one fear: What would become of his sons when he would not be around them?

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The following morning, Govind summoned all the four sons to the court.

Test my strength, I want to test your strength, I said.

Curious looks were passed about by the sons.

Govind requested Dinesh to get some dry sticks in a bundle in the shed. As they were presenting the bundle, Govind gave the bundle to Ramesh.

“Break it,” he said.

In his best efforts Ramesh made an attempt. He stamped, strained, and pulled apart the lot but the sticks held their own.

At which point, Govind gave it to Suresh. He attempted, and choked to death. Nonetheless, the package was intact.

Mahesh grabbed it impatiently and threw all his strength in it, yet he too could not. Dinesh had given a last attempt but this time too it was the same.

Govind nodded and gradually untied the bundle. He gave one stick to each of his sons.

"Now break it," he said.

This son broke his stick without any trouble.

Govind stared at them, and his eyes were steady and serious.

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You are strong when you are allied together, like this bundle, said he. You are like these singlenesses when you are divided, weak.

The pupils paid attention and yet the lesson did not go into their hearts. Not words, Govind said, were enough.

Govind fell sick days later. He was no longer able to go to the fields and all the burden of the farm was on him and sons. Their differences were more evident without the guidance of their father.

Ramesh had the desire to swap crops without negotiating. Suresh did not want to work, yet wanted the same amount of profit. Mahesh screamed and quarreled with farm workers. Dinesh made an attempt to assist but was perplexed.

It was about harvesting time and the fields were neglected. Water channels were not taken care of, crops were planted late and arguments substituted cooperation.

On witnessing this Govind bade his sons take him to the fields once more.

They came away when he was strolling slowly through the lines of the crops. He rode up to a piece of land which had been the richest.

"Look carefully," Govind said. This business furnished us with food for years. Do you know why?"

The sons shook their heads.

Because we were always in love together, Govind resumed. An individual cannot manage the farm by himself. The land inside gathers us patience and cooperation and hard work.

He stood still, taking his breath.

Thou wilt succeed unto me, after I depart this earth. But, remember this--unless ye fight the land will hate thee. Eat you together, should you work together.

Govind died that night peacefully.

The house was definitely empty, the first time.

During the following days, sons quarrelled over sharing land. Each wanted the best portion. They established delimitations, enumerated trees and engaged in endless argument.

After a short time, all the brothers started doing their individual work. At first, they felt satisfied. They were free willed and had independence to make decisions.

But problems arose quickly.

Ramesh was unable to get his crops since he hurried in making decisions. Suresh forgot his area and he depended on other people. Employees moved away due to the anger of Mahesh. Dinesh had to work alone and did not know how to cope with everything.

The soil that was used to be fruitful started to become parched.

One night the brothers were sitting in silence by the old well and Dinesh eventually broke their silence one day.

Oh, remember what Father had shown us with the sticks? he asked softly.

Nobody responded, yet they were all reminded.

Ramesh sighed. We believed that being strong meant doing all things independently.

Suresh lowered his head. "We were wrong."

Mahesh squeezed his fists and unhurriedly eased them. "Our pride blinded us."

The following day they met again, not to fight, but to converse.

They preferred to bring the fields together, to distribute responsibilities and to separate work as per their competencies. Ramesh, Suresh, Mahesh and Dinesh would be the managers of the trade, labour and all, respectively.

It wasn't easy at first. Habits take time to change. Slowly, however, cooperation took the place of conflict.

The land responded.

The crops became more robust, harvest was much better and the farm came back to life. The neighbours observed the transformation and complimented the brothers that they were collaborating.

Several years later when we heard of Govind we told about the greater thing he left, a lesson.

Moral of the Story

Unity is strength. In case people collaborate, it is always possible to defeat the most significant challenges. Separatism and arrogance tear us apart but collaboration and insight aid our development.