You might have heard or read the saying – ‘Unity is Strength’. The following story illustrates this point:

A hunter laid a trap to catch birds. Some birds were caught in it. The entrapped birds were very friendly with one another. One of them said, “Don’t lose patience. We are not one but many. We know very well that our unity is our strength. Let us think how to overcome this difficult situation. All of us will cooperate with each other.”

Another bird said, “How about flying together along with the trap?”
 
All birds immediately approved of this plan. Very soon they started flying along with the trap.

The hunter was surprised and shocked at this unexpected turn of events. He was watching the scene with wide eyes.

Suddenly an idea occurred to him. He began to run following the birds and the trap. People asked him, “What is the point of running like this?”

The hunter replied, “I am not running for no reason. So long as the birds are united in their aim to set themselves free, they are flying together. The unity within them will come to an end when they will have a difference of opinion over one issue or the other related with their common aim. This will result in the birds quarrelling with each other and ultimately in their falling down. I am following them in the hope of catching them after their fall down.”

The hunter was right to say so. The string of unity within them was broken before long. No bird could agree with the other about a safe place to seek shelter from the hunter. The birds began to quarrel with each other. They forgot that they were flying in unison with each other. They also lost control over the movement of their wings. Ultimately they fell down on the ground and the hunter caught them in less than no time.

So it was that the loss of the birds’ treasure of unity led them to a disastrous situation.

How should all of us try to unite? We should always think that we and other beings and things have a common origin – the divine origin. We originate from God only. God alone is our father and mother. Our common divine parentage unites us all. All are members of one and the same divine family. We are like the beads of a rosary threaded onto a string of common family ties. This thought will strengthen our bond of unity within us.

Let this thought act as a guiding force throughout our lives. This thought should outweigh all differences between we and others. (These differences should be resolved by thinking that others also may be correct in their judgment. We should listen to others’ views patiently. Instead of imposing our views on others we should simply tell them what we think is right.)

Unity is strength – this is our New Year’s message to you. May this message infuse the feeling of cooperation with and love for others into your life.

Dear children, can you also write a story to convey a beautiful inspiring message to your brethren – children of the world? Shorter the story, the better. Feel free to mail your contribution to the address given below. Don’t forget to write on the envelope the words “For use in ‘Children’s Site’.”

The General secretary, The Divine Life Society Headquarters, Post Shivanandanagar, District Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand),India. PIN-249192