The Story of 4 Boyfriends
Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes
and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but
the best.
She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him
off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would
leave her for another.
She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was
always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced
a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through
the difficult times.
The girl’s first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great
contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did
not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!
One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought
of her luxurious life and wondered, ‘I now have four boyfriends with
me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.’
Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, ‘I 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?’
‘No way!’, replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.
His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.
The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, ‘I loved you all my life.
Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’
‘No!’, replied the third boyfriend. ‘Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to marry someone else!’
Her heart sank and turned cold.
She then asked the second boyfriend, ‘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 second
boyfriend. ‘At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.’
His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.
Then a voice called out: ‘I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.’
The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the girl said, ‘I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!’
In truth, you have four boyfriends in your life:
Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making
it look good, it will leave you when you die.
Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.
Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much
they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up
to the grave.
And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever
you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only
part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.
By Mangesh