Alexander,
after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell
ill and it took him to 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
1) “My first desire is that”, said Alexander, “My physicians alone must” carry my coffin.”
2)
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”.
3)
The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute’s rest
& 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
favourite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. “O
king, we assure you that all your wishes will 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 be learnt from last 3 wishes of King Alexander......
I
want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize
that no doctor on this earth can really cure anybody. 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 path to
the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will
come with me. I spent all my life in Greed of Power, 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 & breathed his last. .
LESSON TO LEARN:
Remember, your Health is in your own hands, look after it.
Wealth is only meaningful if you can share and also enjoy while you are still alive, kicking and healthy.
What you do for yourself, dies with you.
But what you do for others will live forever. Leave the “Legacy” behind.
*********************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment