The Four Wives...

The  Four Wives      


There  was a rich merchant who had
4  wives      

He  loved the 4th  wife the  most.
He  adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies.
He  took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

4th  wife      


He also  loved the 3rd wife very much.
He's very  proud of her and always wanted to show her off to his friends.  
However,  the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some  other men.

3rd  wife       


He too,  loved his 2nd wife. She is  a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's  confidante.  
Whenever  the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and  she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

2nd  wife      


Now, the  merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and  has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business  as well as taking care of the household.
However,  the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him  deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

1st  wife      


One day,  the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die  soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I  have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll  be!"      

Thus,  he asked the 4th  wife, "I loved  you 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. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's  heart.      

The sad  merchant then asked the 3rd  wife, "I have  loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow  me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife.  "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!"  The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.      

He then  asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you  for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again.  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 send you to your grave." The answer came  like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.      

Then a  voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter  where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his 1st wife.  She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly  grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care  of you while I could have !"      


Actually  we all have 4 wives in our lives,..      

No  matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll  leave us when we die  

The 4th  wife  
is  our body      

When  we die, they all go to others

Our  3rd wife  
is  our possessions, status and wealth      

No  matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest  they can stay by us is up to the grave  
  
The 2nd  wife  
is  our family and friends      

Often  neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure. It  is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until  we're on our deathbed to lament.

The  1st wife  
is  in fact our soul. Something  you can't see      

WHAT  WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT!? The Choice is in your hand!


THE  LEAST YOU CAN DO IS LET OTHERS KNOW