"Eyes
melt when hated"
Alexander,
after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and
it took himto his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander
realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth
were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face
and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking
health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland.
So, the
mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his
last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world
soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail."With tears
flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last
wishes.
"My
first desire is that", said Alexander,
"My
physicians alone must carry my coffin."
After a
pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being
carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold,
silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury".
The king
felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued.
"My
third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my
coffin".
The people
who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dared
bring the question to their lips.. Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand
and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes
will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"
At this
Alexander took a deep breath and said:
"I
would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.
Lessons to
learn from last 3 wishes of King Alexander...
I want my
physicians to carry my coffin because, people should realize that no doctor can
really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the
clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.
The second
wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is
to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all
my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize
that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.
And about
my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to
know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this
world". With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death
conquer him and breathed his last...
LESSONS TO
LEARN:
Remember,
your good health is in your own hands, look after it.
Wealth is
only meaningful if you can enjoy while you are still alive and kicking.
What you do
for yourself dies with you but what you do for others, lives on. It is
called "Legacy."
