The Tale of Four Wives

[Guest guest]

The Story of Four Wives

 

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the

most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He

took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

 

He also loved the 3rd wife very much.He was very proud of her and always

wanted to show her off to his friends. However, the merchant was always

in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

 

He loved his 2nd wife too.She was a very considerate person, always

patient, and in fact was the merchant's confidante. Whenever the

merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she

never failed to help and see him through difficult times.

 

Now, the merchant's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had 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.

 

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, I am coming with you." The merchant looked up and there

was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from

malnutrition. Feeling remorseful, the merchant said, "I should have

taken much better care of you while I could!"

 

Actually we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4th 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 3rd wife? Our possessions, status and

wealth.When we die, they all go to others. The 2nd wife is our family

and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're

alive, their company can last only up to the grave. The 1st wife is in

fact our soul, 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.

Think about it.................