02-03-2010, 08:03 PM
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four
wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adored 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 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 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 walk with
you to your grave."
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and
the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll
follow you no matter where you go."
The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She
was very 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 the 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. Often neglected in
pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow
us where ever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish
it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow
us to the throne of God and continue with us
throughout Eternity.
Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes
you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to
pray.
Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did.
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It
means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.
Have a beautiful week full of blessings!
wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adored 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 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 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 walk with
you to your grave."
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and
the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll
follow you no matter where you go."
The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She
was very 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 the 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. Often neglected in
pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow
us where ever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish
it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow
us to the throne of God and continue with us
throughout Eternity.
Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes
you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to
pray.
Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did.
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It
means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.
Have a beautiful week full of blessings!