There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander,
the great Greek king.
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."
"My first desire is that," said Alexander, "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." 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 dare bring the question to their lips. Alexander's
favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O
king, we assure you that your wishes will all 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
learned:
I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize
that
"No doctor 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 way
to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold
will come with me.
"I spent all my life 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 breathe his last. . . . .
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