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STORY for Your WEEK
The King’s Four Wives
By Author Unknown (Thank you, Catherine Pulsifer)
Once upon a time there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved his
fourth wife the most and adorned her with riches. He also loved his
third wife and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms.
However, he always feared that she would leave him. His second wife was
kind and considerate and his trusted confidante and advisor in difficult
times. Wife number one was devoted and loyal and although she loved him
deeply, he was not so interested and tended to ignore her.
One day, the king fell ill and knew his time was short. He thought of
his luxurious life and feared being alone when he died.
He asked 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!" she replied
and walked away without another word.
The sad king then asked the third wife, "I have loved you all my life.
Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company? " "No!" she
replied. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!"
He then asked the 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!" she replied.
"At the very most, I can help with your funeral."
Then a voice called out to the king in his sadness: "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 and undernourished. Greatly grieved,
the king said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had
the chance!"
In truth, we all have four wives in our lives. Our fourth wife is our
body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look
good, it'll 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.
The moral of the story:
Look after your body and keep it healthy so you can live life to its
fullest.
Enjoy your possessions and the comfort they provide.
Cherish your friends and family and the love they provide.
But don't forget to nourish your soul--it is the source of all your life
and your most faithful friend.
QUOTE of the WEEK:
“From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other.
But when books are opened you discover you have wings.” --Helen Hayes
For previous stories and messages files, Please click HERE
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