WIFES – An Inspirational Story

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wifes. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and infact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be?

Thus, he asked the 4th wife,”I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying,will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife andshe walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”"No!”replied the 3rd wife.”Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife,”Ialways turned to you for helpand you’ve always helped meout. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out : “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !”

‘Every man and woman has four wives or husbands. What do these wives signify?’

THE FOURTH WIFE
The 4th ‘wife’ is our body. We love our body day and night. In the morning, we wash our face, put on clothing and shoes. We give food to our body. We take care of our body like the fourth wife in this story. But unfortunately, at the end of our life, the body, the first ‘wife’ cannot follow us to the next world. As it is stated in a commentary, ‘When the last breath leaves our body, the healthy color of the face is transformed, and we lose the appearance of radiant life. Our loved ones may gather around and lament, but to no avail. When such an event occurs, the body is sent into an open field and cremated, leaving only the white ashes.’This is the destination of our body.

THE THiRD WiFE
Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

THE SECOND WiFE
The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

THE FiRST WiFE
The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.

8 lies of a mother

Born into a very poor family, often there was not much to eat in the house. Whenever there was some food, the Mother would give her portion of rice to the child and say ‘eat this rice son, I’m not hungry.’

As the child grew, the mother started using up all her spare time to go fishing in a river near the house, hoping that from the fish she would catch, she could provide a little nutrition to her child. Every time she caught two fish, she would make a fish soup and give it to her child. As the child drank the soup and ate the fish, the mother would sit beside and eat the bone from what was left. The child felt really sad seeing its mother eating just the leftover bones, so one day it gave a piece of fish to the mother, but the mother said ‘eat this fish son, I don’t like fish.’

As the son was growing up, the mother began working harder to fund his education. She went to a Match factory to bring home used matchboxes which she would fill with fresh matchsticks. This helped her get some money that she could use towards her son’s education. One late winter night the son woke up and saw his mother was still filling the matchboxes by candlelight. He asked her to go to sleep. ‘Go to sleep son, I’m not tired,’ she smiled.

When it was time for the son’s final exam, the mother accompanied him and after dawn, she waited for long hours in the sun for her son to finish the exam. When he came out and ran to his mother, she gave him a cup of tea she had brought for him. He could see his mother was covered in sweat, so he gave her the glass and asked her to drink. But she said ‘Drink son, I am not thirsty.’

After the death of his father, his mother had to take on the role of a single parent, working, trying to meet the expenses, battling starvation. The neighbours, who saw that the family was stuck in poverty, often advised the mother to marry again, but she refused, saying ‘I don’t need love.’

After he finished his studies, he got a job and asked his mother to stop working. But she continued going to the market each morning just to sell a few vegetables. She kept sending back the money that her son sent her, saying ‘I have enough money.’

The son got a big jump in salary and decided to bring his mother with him to America, where he was now living. But his mother didn’t want to bother the son and said ‘I’m not used to high living.’

In her old age, the mother got ill with cancer and had to be hospitalised. The son, who lived oceans away from her, rushed to her, who was bedridden after an operation. She tried to smile, but the son was heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble, but mother said, ‘Don’t cry son, I’m not in pain.’ 

And saying this, her eighth lie to her son, 

she died.

[ Love your Mom ]

Was all this worth it?

A story about “LIFE.”! Worth a Read.! 

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true..

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India..

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat..

I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards..

Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald’s and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down..

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate..

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA..

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing..

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand- children..

Every year I decide to go to India… But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not go to India.. The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children..

After couple more years passed away, much to my children’s dislike and my wife’s joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA..

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India… My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years..

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA… I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India.. I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality..

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?

My father, even after staying in India, had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more..

I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM..

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me..

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them..

But the question still remains ‘was all this worth it?’

I am still searching for an answer……………..!!!

START THINKING IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???

LIFE IS BEYOND THIS.. DON’T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE.. START LIVING IT..
LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE!!

Imagination: KArtik Calling KArtik

This was the Day. Tony had been waiting for this day for his entire life. He had his share of sorrow all through his life but now the moment waited him which would change his life forever. He was 22 and had seen so much in these years. He never knew what a mother’s warmth was. She died giving birth to him. Soon after her death his Dad started seeing other women. Tony hailed from a very rich and prestigious family with generations having served the poor through the medical fraternity. Everyone was a doctor or a PHD but not his dad. His dad didn’t take up the medical profession, in fact never tried to earn a penny.

Tony had a lonely childhood until Jane entered his life. He could still remember the day when Jane moved to his borhood. He had found a true fried in her. Jane’s company covered all his sorrows, he stated smiling, laughing and more importantly enjoying his life. And now he was going to ask her to marry him. This was his last day of college and he had been preparing for this moment for a while now. He had visualized the scene a hundred times in his dreams.” Will you marry me Miss Jane?” He had memorized this simple plain line. As he was waiting for Jane in his garden he heard Uncle Jack calling him. Uncle Jack was the one who looked after him for all these years. Mr. Jack was a Psychologist. He was very dear to Tony. “Can I speak to you for some time, Tony?” “Now? Actually Uncle …” Before Tony could complete his statement uncle jack said “Tony this is really very important. I always wanted to speak to you about this but was afraid. Now you are older and you will be able to understand.. .” “What is it all about…” Tony asked with a tensed voice. “Not here… Let’s go inside the living room and will have a talk there”

Tony followed Uncle Jack into the cottage. Tony was very anxious and nervous. He had never seen his Uncle this way. “Tony before I talk to u about it please promise me you won’t panic and whatever happens always remember that I am with you.” “God! You are making me too nervous. Tell me uncle jack what is it about”. Tony wanted to get through this as early as possible. “Jane must be waiting for me” he thought. “Tony you need to keep your calm. Know it will be very tough for you to understand.. Tony, remember the day when you told me about Jane moving to the cottage next to ours?”

“Is it about Jane…?” he shrieked, his heart was pumping fast… “Listen Tony There is no one living in that cottage for years now…” “whhhat ?? How’s that possible I have been there myself so many times…..what are you talking about? I just can’t understand” “Please listen Tony. You were alone those days and were very upset with life. You didn’t have friends then…You went through lot of things…You wanted to be happy but were unable to you didn’t had anyone to talk to” Uncle jack moved closer to Tony and put his hand on Tony’s shoulder. “And in such situations your brain plays bad games with you. You started imagining Jane as your friend…There is no Jane; Tony you are just imagining her…” “Just just just imagining her…how can you say that …I have touched her even kissed her cheeks. It’s you who are crazy and not me…”

“Tony I know it’s hard to believe this. But it’s the truth. I always wanted to tell you this but you were too small to understand.. .” “No that’s not possible…. .you are lying …” “No son it’s your own mind lying you…please Tony keep your cool everything will be fine ….just trust me”

Tony rushed away from the living room. He ran to meet Jane in the Garden. But no one was there. He went to Jane’s house hoping to find her there…he tried ringing the door bell but it didn’t rang and how would it? The place was locked for 17 years now. He entered the Cottage through a broken window..Eveything was deserted. The sofa on which he and Jane sat chatting for hours was covered with layers of dust… He was almost crying now…he moved to the terrace to find the rose plant they planted together. There was nothing only some rusted furniture and dust. He went back Uncle Jack. “Son, I am sorry but you need to get out of this…” Tony couldn’t believe what had happened to him. The girl who he loved the most and wanted to marry didn’t exist. She was fake, a thought, and a piece of imagination…

It took around a month for him to digest his fate. He was finally recovering. And that day before going to sleep he took those tablets which he took for last 15 years. He always wondered why Uncle Jack kept giving him those tablets. Now he knew the answer. He was sick. Sick mentally. As he was about to sleep he heard a knock on his door. It was Jane. “Jane you cant be here…you don’t exist…” “What’s that? Is this some kind of Joke, Tony? I came here to say sorry. I had to leave that day without informing you because my mom died in a car accident…I tried to reach you but somehow I was not able to…”

“Noooo! this is not true” said Tony. “There is no one called Jane in my life…I know that now…Just get away from me… ” “Whats the matter with you Tony? I am Jane your sweetheart your love….” “No that’s not true….” Tony closed his eyes for a moment hoping his dream would end…. Jane held his hand….Tony was shivering he could feel the touch.His brain was playing Bad games with him he knew it. “Come here my baby you are not well…you need some rest” “Go away from me …just go…” Tony was breathing high now…He tried keeping his cool and took a deep breath. He knew this would be over once he convinced himself that there was no Jane. “Jane you are my imagination. ..I made you…” “Tony you can’t hurt me …you love me so much …we had such a great time together” “No Jane, I had a great time with myself…” What am I talking! I am going nuts..

He rushed into the kitchen. He came back with water all over his shirt… He could still see Jane standing there…weeping. He was well aware of the bad games of the Brain now. He went closer to her… “Jane i made you …now i will destroy you…” Zap zap zap… three stabs…Jane was bleeding… Tony could feel the red liquid ….bad brain games he thought… “Uncle Jack. Where are you? I am cured now. There will be no Jane from now on…where are you Uncle Jack?” “There is no Uncle Jack. I wanted to tell you this… All these days…” Jane gasped. Breathing her last breath.

Indeed one of the Best Eye Opener message:

It was their anniversary, and Aisha was waiting for her husband Rajiv to show up.

Things had changed since their marriage, the once cute couple couldn’t-live-without-each-other had turned bitter.

Fighting over every little things, both didn’t like the way things had changed.
Aisha was waiting to see if Rajiv remembered it was their anniversary!

Just as the door bell rang she ran to find her husband wet and smiling with a bunch of flowers in his hand.

The two started re-living the old days. Making up for fights, then was d plan for champagne, light music And it was raining outside! It was perfect.

But the moment paused when the phone in the bedroom rang.

Aisha went to pick it up and it was a man. “Hello ma’am I’m calling from the police station. Is this Mr Rajiv Mehra’s number?”

Yes it is!”

I’m sorry ma’am; but there was an accident and a man died. We got this number from his wallet; we need you to come and identify his body.”

Aisha’s heart sank.!!! She was shocked!

But my husband is here with me?”

Sorry ma’am, but the incident took place at 2 pm, when he was boarding the train.”

Aisha was about to lose her conscience.

How could this happen?!

She had heard about the soul of the person coming to meet a loved one before it leaves!

She ran into the other room.

He was not there. It was true! He had left her for good!! Oh God she would have died for another chance to mend every little fight! She rolled on the floor in pain. She lost her chance! Forever!

Suddenly there was a noise from the bathroom, the door opened and Rajiv came out and said….. “Darling, I forgot to tell you my wallet got stolen today”.

LIFE MIGHT NOT GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE. SO NEVER WASTE A MOMENT WHEN YOU CAN STILL MAKE UP FOR YOUR WRONGS!!!

Its the last quarter of the year so let’s start making amends.
To parents
To siblings
To friends
And many more.

No one is promised tomorrow. 

Have a wonderful Life with no regrets!