THE STORY OF FOUR WIVES
Once upon a
time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th 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 3rd wife very much
and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that
one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife.
She was his confidant, and was always kind, considerate and patient with him.
Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help
him get through the difficult times.
The King's 1st
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.
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
wondered, "I ! now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all
alone.
"Thus,
he asked the 4th 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?"
"No way!", replied the 4th 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 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now
that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife.
"Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart
sank and turned cold.
He then
asked the 2nd 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 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your
grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning, 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 skinny
as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said,
"I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, we
all have 4 wives in our lives:
Our 4th
wife is our body. No matter how much
time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Our 3rd
wife is our possessions, status and
wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.
Our 2nd
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 1st
wife is our
Soul/Charity.
Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our
Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.