WHAT ALEXANDER COULD NOT CARRY WITH HIM?

ALEXANDER’s THREE WISHES!

I know most of you would have read this story but its message is unique and universal and it needs to be repeated over and over to remind every man that there goes nothing with him when he leaves this earth for ever. Therefore, all your precious possessions, which you acquire through hook and crook or murders and abductions or even cheating and corruption, will be left behind for others to misuse and abuse. Perhaps, this story may change the outlook towards life of a few readers. This is a story involving the life of Alexander, the great Greek king. Here, it goes.

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 begged his physicians to get him last few moments to enable him to reach his home. He was prepared to barter his hard won kingdom for last few additional moments in life. But the physicians showed their inability and helplessness.

He had longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But his doctors did not give him much time. Finally, 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 rolling down their cheeks, the Generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

“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. 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 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 learnt. 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 breathed his last. . . . . MATLAB ----KHALI HAATH AAYE THAIYE TUM, KHALI HAATH JAYOGE TUM----SAMJHE KI NAHIN----KIYON BHAAG RAHE HO ‘KAL’ KE PICHHE. ‘AAJ’ MEIN KHUSH RAHO—YEHI SACHAI HAI. (IMPLIES---EMPTY HANDED ONE CAME INTO THIS WORLD AND EMPTY HANDED ONE WILL GO FROM HERE----UNDERSTOOD OR NOT----WHY ARE YOU CHASING ‘TOMORROW’---ENJOY YOUR PRESENT. THIS IS THE ONLY TRUTH.)