~A Story Of Four Wives~
Once upon a time...
there was a rich King who had four
wives.
He loved the fourth wife the most
and adorned her with rich robes
and treated her to the finest of
delicacies.
He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the third wife very
much,
and he was always showing her off
to neighboring kingdoms.
However, he feared that one day
she would leave him for another.
He also loved his second wife.
She was his confidante and was always
kind, considerate and patient with him.
Whenever the King faced a problem,
he could confide in her to help
him
get through the difficult times.
The King's first wife was a very
loyal partner
and had made great contributions
in maintaining his wealth and kingdom.
However, he did not love the first
wife
and although she loved him deeply,
he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the King fell ill,
and he knew his time was short.
He thought of his luxurious life
and pondered,
"I now have four wives with me,
but when I die,
I'll be all alone.
Thus, he asked the fourth wife,
"I have loved you the most,
endowed you with the finest clothing,
and showered great care over you.
Now that I'm dying,
will you follow me and keep me company?"
"Absolutely not!" replied the fourth
wife,
and she walked away without another
word.
Her answer cut like a sharp knife
right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the third
wife,
"I have loved you all my life.
Now that I'm dying,
will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No," replied the third wife. "Life
is too good!
When you die, I'm going to remarry!"
His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the second wife,
"I have always turned to you for
help,
and you've always been there for
me.
When I die,
will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out
this time,"
replied the second wife.
"At the very most,
I can only send you to your grave."
Her answer came like a bolt of thunder,
and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out.
"I'll leave with you and follow
you
no matter where you go."
The King looked up, and there was
his first wife.
She was so sad and thin, she looked
half-starved. Greatly grieved, the King said,
"I should have taken much better
care of you
when I had the chance!"
In truth, we all have four wives
in our lives:
Our fourth wife is our body.
No matter how much time and effort
we lavish in making it look good,
it'll leave us when we die.
Our third wife is our possessions,
status and wealth.
When we die, it will all go to others.
Our second wife is our family and
friends.
No matter how much they have been
there for us,
the furthest they can stay by us
is up to the grave.
And our first wife is our soul,
often neglected in pursuit of wealth,
power and pleasures of the ego.
However, our soul is the only thing
that will follow us wherever we
go.
So cultivate, strengthen, and cherish
it now!
It IS your greatest gift to offer
the world.