In Unity Lies Great Strength

It does not matter how small or big you are. You can achieve what you want if you do it together with like-minded people, in an organized way.

अल्पानामपि वस्तूनां संहति: कार्यसाधिका |

तॄणैर्गुणत्वमापन्नैर्बध्यन्ते मत्तसन्तिन: ||

Even small things if organized together properly can help to achieve a great task, just like small threads of fibre combine to make a strong rope that can tie up even the mighty elephant.

No better example than a coir rope to prove that unity is strength!

(Courtesy: D'Source)

How did Rama and Lakshmana defeat Ravana? Was it not because they joined hands with the vanaras? Have we not read of kings with small armies who resisted foreign rule and sent their invaders packing, all thanks to organized effort and smart war tactics? From animals to kings and even Gods, we have innumerable stories to show that, “Unity is Strength!” Here is one such simple but meaningful story that can be enjoyed by young and old alike - and each will find a different depth of meaning in it.... 

Once upon a time, there was a flock of birds with a wise king. While they were flying across a forest, they found a lot of grains sprinkled on the ground. The king warned them, "Do not go for the grains, it appears to be a trap. It is not normal to find such grains spilt on the ground in a dense forest like this." However, desire clouded their thoughts, and the birds refused to listen to their king. They swooped down to feast on the grains. 

Alas, the grains were indeed part of a trap laid by a hunter to catch birds in the forest. As soon as the birds landed near the grains, a net was released from the branch of a nearby tree. It covered the birds and trapped them. Naturally, all the birds got scared and started crying.

The wise leader thought for a moment and said, “Although we might each be small, together we are strong. If we all try together, we can escape. At the count of three, I want you all to flap your wings as strongly as you can and fly up together at the same time.” When the birds did so, they were surprised to see that they started flying, carrying the weight of the net along!

Slowly, they flew to a safe place and landed near a tree where a pack of mice lived. The king of the mice was a friend of the doves. So, when they came seeking help, he called together all the mice and said, “Friends, just like the birds, we can also prove our strength by working together. Although this net is big and strong, we can tear it into pieces and release the doves if all of us chew together!” And so, the mice chewed and chewed for a while till the net tore to tatters and the birds flew out.

The birds and the mice were now convinced that unity is strength! By working together, even small beings can achieve great things. After all, little drops of water make the mighty ocean, and flimsy fragments of fibre combine to make a robust rope! 

By Janani Gopalakrishnan Vikram (First published in Tattvaloka)