Four Wives. Essay, Research Paper
Four Wives
There was a rich merchant of India who had 4 wives (when
they used to do such things.) 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.
He also loved his 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 man.
He, too, loved his 2nd wife. She was a very considerate
person, always patient and 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.
Now, the merchant’s 1st wife was a very loyal partner and
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’ve 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 first 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. 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 have been for us when we’re alive, the furthest they
can stay by us is up to the grave.
The 1st wife is our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of
material wealth and sensual pleasure. Guess what? It is
actually the only one that follows us wherever we go.
Perhaps (just perhaps) it’s a good idea to cultivate and
strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our
deathbed, lamenting.