Once upon a time, there was a man who had four wives. He loved his fourth wife the most, showering her with attention and material gifts, always striving to keep her happy and adorned. His third wife, renowned for her beauty, also held a special place in his heart. He cherished her so much that he feared losing her to another, and thus kept her hidden from the world. His second wife was his confidante; she was always there to solve his problems and offer her unwavering support. However, his first wife received no such affection. Despite this, she continued to love him deeply and remained loyal.
One day, the man fell gravely ill and realized that he was nearing death. He thought, “I have four wives, surely one of them will accompany me in death.” He asked his fourth wife to join him, reminding her of the immense love and resources he had dedicated to her. To his dismay, she bluntly refused.
Turning to his third wife, he pleaded with her to come along. She replied, “I love you, but my life is still full of admirers. After your death, I will belong to someone else.” Disheartened, he approached his second wife, who had always been there for him. She said, “I will accompany you to your grave, but no further.”
The man was now deeply troubled and filled with regret. Suddenly, a weak voice came from behind, “I will go with you to the end.” He turned around to find his first wife, emaciated and neglected due to lack of attention and nourishment. Realizing his grave mistake, he lamented, “If only I had cared for you more, you would have been a comforting companion in my final moments.”
Explanation:
This parable carries a profound moral lesson about the true priorities in life.
The Fourth Wife:
The fourth wife represents our physical body and appearance. We spend so much time and effort in grooming and maintaining our bodies, but in the end, they cannot follow us into the afterlife. When we die, our bodies are left behind, ceasing to be of any importance.
The Third Wife:
The third wife symbolizes our wealth and possessions. Throughout life, we guard our riches jealously, but once we pass away, they become someone else’s property. Our material wealth is temporary and holds no value beyond our worldly existence.
The Second Wife:
The second wife stands for our family and friends. They support us, solve our problems, and remain close to us, but their companionship is limited to our earthly life. Even the closest of relations can only accompany us to the grave, not beyond it.
The First Wife:
The first wife signifies our deeds and actions. These are often neglected and given the least attention, yet they are the only things that truly stay with us beyond death. Our actions, whether good or bad, are our eternal companions and determine our fate in the afterlife.
Conclusion:
This parable reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our deeds and actions over our physical appearance, wealth, and even our earthly relationships. In our quest for a fulfilling life, we must remember that our true and lasting companions are the actions we perform and the legacy we leave behind. These are what will follow us into eternity, shaping our journey in the hereafter. Let us strive to nourish and strengthen our “first wife” by living a life of virtue, kindness, and integrity.
