kaana lirajulin kabiirin thalaathatu abnaa’in wakaanuu yatakhaaṣamuuna daa’imanAn old man had three sons, and they were always quarrelling.
ḥazina al-abu wa’araada an yuʿallimahum darsanThe father was sad and wanted to teach them a lesson.
aḥḍara ḥuzmatan mina al-ʿiidaani waqaala man yaksiruhaaHe brought a bundle of sticks and said, "Who can break it?"
ḥaawala al-awlaadu ath-thalaathatu kasrahaa falam yaqdiruuThe three boys tried to break it but could not.
thumma farraqa al-abu al-ʿiidaana wa’aʿṭaa kulla ibnin ʿuudanThen the father separated the sticks and gave each son one stick.
kasara kullu waaḥidin ʿuudahu bisuhuulatinEach one broke his stick easily.
qaala al-abu antum mithlu al-ʿiidaani idhaa ijtamaʿtum kuntum aqwiyaa’aThe father said, "You are like the sticks. If you stay together you are strong."
fataṣaalaḥa al-abnaa’u waʿaashuu fii salaaminThe sons made peace and lived in peace.