The Legend of Khan KubratKhan Kubrat was born around 585-600 AD. He was the father of Asparuh, the founder of Bulgaria.

After Kubrat’s death (around 668) his five sons (Batbayan, Asparukh, Kotrag, Altsek and Kuber) didn’t listen to their father’s advice. They separated and ruled independently.

As the Khan was dying, he ordered his sons to bring a bundle of sticks and told them to break the bundle in two. When none of the sons could break the bundle, the Khan took the sticks and broke them one by one with his weak hands.The sons understood their father's message: their strength depended on their unity. Kubrat's wanted his sons to be together, "so they never become other peoples' slaves". 

The Legend of Khan Kubrat