Our Four Wives
OUR 4 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 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 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 wherever we
go.
Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the
only part of us that will follow us and continue with us throughout
Eternity.
