There's a video of this on top. It's one of my favorite stories I saw on Facebook. A very beautiful story.
Once there was a king named Akashi Seijuro who had four wives. He loved all his wives but the fourth one named Mayuzumi was the one he adore most.
He adorned Mayuzumi Chihiro with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. He gave him nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife Midorima Shintarō very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day he would leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. Furihata Kouki, He was his confidante and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in him, and he would help him get through the difficult times.
The King's 1st wife Kuroko Tetsuya was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although he loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of him.
One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered,
"I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."
Afraid of going to the afterlife alone he called his 4th wife.
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the 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?"
The 4th wife, refused and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank listening to those cold words said by his wife.
He then asked the 2nd wife the same question, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. 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." His answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. He was so skinny as he suffered from malnutrition.
Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!" He cried.
Kuroko just smiled and embrace the crying Akashi Seijuro his husband.
When they both died. The people and friends cried for them. The other three wives well...who knows what happen to them.
In the afterlife Akashi and Kuroko were smiling at each other and walked hand in hand together toward the white light.
Our 4th wife is our body.
No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth.
When we die, it will all go to others.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends.
No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
And our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the ego.
However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.
So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, it is your greatest gift to offer the world.