Post by toweringniceguy on Nov 9, 2006 12:32:08 GMT 10
Fact or fiction....
Three Wishes of Alexander The Great.
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."
With tears flowing 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.
Three Wishes of Alexander The Great.
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."
With tears flowing 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.
Chand meri zameen phool mera watan
