THE STORY OF 4 WIVES

             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   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   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.