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Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved his 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 his third 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 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, and she would
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 his 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 said to his 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?" "No way!" replied the fourth wife, and she walked away without another word.
Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into the King's heart.
The sad King then asked his 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 his 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 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! She suffered from
malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you
when I had the chance!"
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Our fourth 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 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. |
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