Once upon a time, there was a rich king with four wives. He loved the fourth woman the most and pampered her with beautiful clothes and brought her the best foods. He didn't give her anything less than the best.
He also loved his third wife very much and always showed her to neighboring kingdoms. But he was always afraid that she would leave him for someone else.
He also loved his second wife very much. He would tell her everything and she was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the king encountered a problem, he would always talk to her and she would help him get through difficult times.
The king's first wife was a very loyal spouse and made great contributions to the preservation of the king's money and kingdom. But the king did not like his first wife. And even though she loved him very much, he barely paid attention to her.
One day, the king became ill and he knew his time had come. He thought about his wonderful life and wondered, "I have four wives and when I die I will be alone."
So he asked his fourth wife, "I loved you the most and took great care of you. Now that I'm dying, will you come with me and make friends with me?" "No way," she answered and walked away without saying another word. Her answer hit him like a sharp knife in the heart.
The king asked his third wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you come with me to have a girlfriend?" "No!" she answered, "Life is too good! If you die, I'll remarry!"
His heart sank and became cold.
He asked his second wife, "I always turned to you for help and you were always there for me. That I die, will you come with me and have my company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you this time!" she answered, "The most I can do is go with you to the grave," her answer struck him like lightning and the king was devastated.
Suddenly a voice called out, "I'll come with you. I will follow you wherever you go" The king looked up and saw his first wife. She was very thin because she was neglected. With great suffering, the king said, "I should have taken better care of you if I had the opportunity."
In fact, we all have 4 women in our lives:
Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we invest in making it beautiful, it will leave us to die. Our third wife is our property, our status and our money. If we die, it will pass on to others. Our second wife is our family and friends. No matter how far they were there for us, the farther they would stay with us was to the grave.
And our first wife is our soul. The pursuit of money, power, and the pleasures of the world is often neglected. Even though our soul is the only thing that will go with us everywhere.
Strengthen and nurture it, because it is the only part that will go with us to the crown of G-d and will continue with us forever.
