Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four
wives. He love 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 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, 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 way", replied the 3th wife, "Life is too good! When u
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 have 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 to your grave." He answer
came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then the voice come out: "I will leave with you and follow
you no matter where you go". The King looked up and
there was his 1st 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.

MAA-SALAM.


source: http://sulaymanmusharraf..co.ke/2010/03/story-of-four-wives.html?m=1