There was a man who had four children. He loved the fourth one very dearly, he would get him the nicest dress. He would get him the nicest gadget, he would care for him very nicely and make him happy all the time. The child loved him, the father too loved him.

He also loved the third child. The third child was also dear to him, he would give him everything, and he was the one who controlled everything in his life.

He also loved the second child, he was also confident in him, he was the one to whom he would tell all his personal matters, he would always talk to his second child about life.

His first child was there, he wasn't too attached to her, he was always there, and he was modest, always trying his best to show himself.

One day the man fell ill and he was on his death bed, all of his children were gathered around him, he said "Now look, my beautiful children, I don't want to die alone, who of you will come to me?"

He called his fourth child and said "You are the dearest to my heart, I have always loved you, I have given you the best of all, now the time has come for me to die, will you come with me? Would you come with me?" The child said "No" and turned back and went away. His heart was broken into pieces.

Sadly he called his third child to the front and said "I am going to die, will you come with me?" to that he said "No way, the moment you die, I am going to my family" he turned his back and went away.

He called his 2nd child and asked him the same question, he said "I am sorry that you are dying, but I can only come up to your cemetery, I will be with you until there" and turned back to stand in his place.

From behind he heard a voice "I will come with you", he looked at his first child and felt sad, he said "My dear I have always neglected you, you look so skinny, now my life has come to an end, I wish I knew you loved me more than anybody when I was healthy. I feel very sad I neglected you all this time" and died.

In the story, 4th child represents the body and its craving, which we lose when we die. The 3rd child represent wealth, which others get after one leaves body. The 2nd child all the friends and family who can only come up to the grave. The 1st child represents the soul (or mind), it is always there but unnoticed, the most dearly and important one is ignored and one often realizes it only at the end of life.

Now is the time to strive spiritually, take all the chances you get and benefit. Before the oil of life is completely lost.

Mark 8: 36
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"