THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AMAZING READS THAT CAME FROM A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE. I FELT LED TO SHARE BECAUSE IT SPEAKS FROM THE SOUL... TO THE SOUL....
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 andtreated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but thebest.He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off toneighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leavehim 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,hecould confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficulttimes.The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made greatcontributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he didnotlove the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly tooknotice of her!One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thoughtofhis luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, butwhenI die, I'll be all alone."Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you the most, endowed you withthefinest 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 anotherword.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. NowthatI'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?""No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'mgoingto remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help andyou've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me andkeepme company?""I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife."Atthe very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answerstruck 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 matterwhere you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. Shewasvery skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatlygrieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of youwhen 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 lavishin making it look good, it will leave us when we die.Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, itwillall go to others.Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they havebeen there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to thegrave.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 thingthat will follow us wherever we go.Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part ofusthat will continue with usthroughoutEternity.
