Direct Translation (Word by Word):
formerly to time in farmer a to child three
had. children always in quarrel only did-by stayed did. farmer that-by
they-to friendly harmony-state-be need-of advice gave times-many-did but
benefit result whatsoever not had.
day one father old that death-to near bed-of
on top-of remained at that time child three in front-of called and.
stick bundle one bring here quotation said. they-by stick bundle a
carry-came and child one-at-a-time to break to-do let at that time. they
no one break able were. farmer old-by bunch that take-apart let and.
Again stick each do-and break to let result-of child youngest that even
easily at break able was.
time that at farmer old-by said meaning sons
look unity-of power strength to sticks together at tied if you no one
break able to not. Never the less stick each do if you-by easily-to
break able were. that like you unified on remain do if outside enemy no
one bully do able to not is. if you quarrel dispute only do from
separated in stay if other by easily by defeat do quotes said
that after began sons-by father-by advice mind to kept in from agreement-in
of state remained in did.
Full Translation:
Once up on a time there was a farmer who had
three children. The children were always fighting amongst themselves.
The farmer often advised them to live in harmony, but always in vain.
One day the father lay on his death bed. He
called the three children to his bedside and asked them to bring a
bundle of sticks. They brought the bundle of sticks and the farmer asked
each of them to try to break the bundle. None of them was able to do so.
The farmer then told them to take apart the bundle and break each stick.
Now even the youngest child could break them easily.
At this time the old farmer said. "See my sons, the power of unity.
As long as the sticks were tied together, none of you were even close to breaking them.
But when they were taken apart, each of you could easily break them. In the same way if you are
united, no outside enemy will be able to bully you. But if you fight and
stay separated, others will easily defeat you".
The sons took their father's advice to heart and lived peacefully after
that.