This is an adaptation of an ancient fable from the Arabic speaking world. The exact origin is not clear; in sources such as Majmaʿ al-Amthāl (“Collection of Proverbs”) by 6th century AH / 12th century CE scholar Al-Maydānī, the story is framed as a proverb told by Ali (RA) to describe the situation of the fitna surrounding the killing of Uthman (RA). However, there is no reliable evidence to confirm that Ali RA made such a statement; maybe he did, maybe it is fiction. It may be a fable that existed amongst the Arabs during the period of Jaahiliyya; equally it could be a story that crept into the culture after Islam. Regardless of this, the story has been a widely circulated fable for centuries, appearing in numerous publications and used as an example to illustrate strength in unity.