Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved his third wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another man or monarch. 

He also loved his second 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 first 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 ever noticed 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 fourth wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I am dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!" replied the fourth wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked his third wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!" she replied. "Life is too good! When you die, I am going to remarry!" The King’s heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the second 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 second wife. "At the very most, I can 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 better care of you when I had the chance!"

In reality, all persons have four proverbial spouses in their lives.

The fourth spouse is our body. No matter how much time and effort was lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our third spouse is the sum total of our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they will all go to others.

Our second spouse is our family and friends. No matter how much they been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is accompany our remains only up to the grave.

But our first spouse is our Soul. Often it is 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 our only spouse, oops, part that will follow us to the next life and stay with our selves throughout eternity.  

(This parable was sent by Johnny Chua of Walnut, California. He is the president of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley.)

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