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.