Many hundred of years ago, Aesop, a Greek slave, became famous for the fables he told. After so many years, people all over the world still enjoy reading them today as much the Greeks enjoyed listening to them long, long ago. Long ago and far away, there was an old farmer who had seven sons. One day, the old farmer was lying on his bed and he though that he would not live much longer. He called his sons before him. He told a servant to bring in a bundle of seven sticks tied together. He handed the bundle to his oldest son and said to him, "Son, now break the bundle."

The son tired with all his might, but he could not break the bundle. One by one, the other brothers tired. Not one of them was strong enough.

The father smiled, "Now, my sons,untie the bundle. Each of you, take a stick and try to break it." This time they had no difficulty breaking the sticks. In a few moments all the sticks were broken.

The old mam looked at his sons affectionately and said,"Remember, in unity there is strength."

Once when a Lion was asleep, a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon awakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse, "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it. Maybe I’ll be able to do you a turn some of these days, who knows?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some days later, the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by. Seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, it went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.