The Story of 4 Wives

Hi guys!! It has been quite sometime that I last wrote. Here is a story I came across many many moons ago and would like to share with you. Some of you may have read it coz I read it in The Star. For the benefit of those who might missed it, here it goes.....

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 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 of to neighbouring 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 1st wife. Although he loves him deeply, he hardly take 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 4 wives with me, but when I die, I'll die alone." Thus he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now I'm dying. Will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!" replied the 4th wife and walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad king then asked his 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Live is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked his 2nd 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 so sorry, I can't help you this time!" replied the 3rd wife. " At most, I can only 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 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 go to others. Our 2nd wife is our FAMILY and FRIENDS. No matter how much they have been there for you, 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.... THE END

Hope you like the story and for me, analogy such as this will stick to my head and heart.