from a teacher I know........
The King's Four Wives
>
>
> 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 handmade 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. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for
>it is the only part of us who 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.
>
The King's Four Wives
>
>
> 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 handmade 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. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for
>it is the only part of us who 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.
>
