4 wives

One of my sisters emailed me this parable and I think it well worth sharing. I'm afraid I don't know its provenance to give proper credit.

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 robesand treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothingbut the best.He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was alwaysshowing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, hefeared that one day she would leave him for another.He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant andwas 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 andhad made great contributions in maintaining his wealthand 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 wasshort. He thought of his luxurious life andwondered, "I now have four wives with me, butwhen I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed youwith the finest clothing and showered great careover you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow meand keep me company?"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walkedaway without another word.Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into hisheart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "Ihave 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 sankand turned cold.He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned toyou for help and you've always been there for me. when die, will you followme 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 walk with you to yourgrave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King wasdevastated.Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter whereyou go." The Kinglooked up, and there was his first wife. She wasvery 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 thechance!"In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. Nomatter 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 allgo to others.Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have beenthere 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, powerand pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that willfollow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for itis the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continuewith us throughout Eternity.