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.
"My first desire is that 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 and asked " 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.I
want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no
doctor on this earth 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 path to
the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with
me. I spent all my life 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
and breathed his last. . . .
3 Wonderful Lessons to be learnt from this special story is that
1.Remember, your Health is in your own hands, look after it.
2.Wealth is only meaningful if you can share it with the poor and the
needy you are still alive & healthy.
3. What you do for yourself, dies with you, But what you do for others
will live for ever.
