4 wives for each...

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
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
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!", 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 have 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 send you to your grave." Her answer came
like a bolt of lightning, and the King was
devastated.

Then a voice called out: "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 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 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 and pleasures of the
world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will
follow us wherever we go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is
the only part of us that will follow us to the
throne of God and continue with us throughout
Eternity.

When the world pushes you to your knees .....
You're in the perfect position to pray