"PARABLE OF A KING AND HIS FOUR WIVES"

"PARABLE OF A KING AND HIS FOUR WIVES"

(author unknown)

Once upon a time, there was a King who had four wives.

He loved the fourth wife the most, spoiling her with his deepest affection and providing her with only the finest things life could offer.

He also loved the third wife and proudly displayed her to the neighbouring kingdoms.

He relied a lot on his second wife. She was his trusted advisor and companion. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

However, not much can be said about his first wife. Despite her significant contributions to maintaining his kingdom and her tireless efforts to win his love and admiration, the King barely noticed her existence.

One day, the King fell gravely ill. Despite his efforts to find a cure, he realized that his time was running out.

He reflected on his majestic life and decided to spend everything to prolong it, leading him to consult a mystical sorcerer. The sorcerer said, “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but nothing can be done. Your death is imminent. However, I will grant you the chance to take one wife with you into the afterlife.”

Thus, he asked his fourth wife, “I have given you nothing but the best in life. Now that I’m dying, will you accompany me into the afterlife?”

“No way!”, replied the fourth wife, and she walked away without saying a word.

The sad King then asked the third wife.

“No!” replied the third wife. “Life is too good here! I’ll stay! When you die, I’m going to remarry!”

He then asked his second wife.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you,” replied the second wife. “I can only see you to the edge of your grave.”

The King’s heart sank, and he felt a deep sense of despair. He was utterly devastated.

Then he heard a weary, sad voice, speaking softly: “I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.”

The King looked up and saw his first wife as if for the first time. She appeared aged beyond her years, barely recognizable due to years of neglect. With deep regret, the King said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I had the chance!”

MORAL:

We all have these four wives in our lives.

The FOURTH wife is our BODY.

We often shower our body with the most affection, spending our lives adorning it with exquisite clothing and ornaments. Yet, in the end, it will abandon us when we die.

Our THIRD wife is our POSSESSIONS.

We invest much of our time and energy in accumulating wealth, but none of it will accompany us when we die. Instead, it will be divided and passed on to others.

Our SECOND wife is our friends, family, and relatives.

We love and trust them, and in return, they offer us comfort and support when we need it. However, no matter how long they remain by our side, they can only accompany us up to the point of our burial.

And our FIRST wife is our SPIRIT.

We often neglect our spirits in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and power, not realizing that it is only our spirit that accompanies us after death. While it's important to take care of our bodies by staying healthy and exercising, and to enjoy time with loved ones, we must also remember to nurture our greatest treasure: our spirit.

To lead a fulfilling life, it’s essential to find balance in caring for the four aspects of our existence: our body, our earthly possessions, our relationships, and our spirit. By giving each of these areas the attention they deserve, we create a harmonious life where we are not only prepared for the end but also enriched in the present.

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"I CRY FOR THE CHILDREN" by Joanne Boyle

"I CRY FOR THE CHILDREN"
by Joanne Boyle

I cry for the children

that just went to play

and were expected to return

home on the same day.

I cry for the parents

but not for the thief,

that stole their love

and replaced it with grief.

I cry for the innocence

of every lost soul.

When someone came along

and their futures stole.

I cry for every person

that wishes for the power.

To go back in time

and prevent that hour.

I cry for each loss

of those that are taken.

The nightmares continue

for those that awaken.

I cry for our future.

For all the pain and despair.

But we must not give up

and hope will be there

***********

Author Joanne Boyle ~ Heartfelt

Art by ~ Steffi Krenzek

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"Rock-a-bye baby"

"Rock-a-bye baby" (author unknown"

One of the Origin Stories of America’s Favourite Nursery Rhyme:

Effie Crockett was invited to help some mothers in the Muskogee Tribe. Once she arrived in camp, Effie laughed at what she saw. The Muskogee Tribe had a custom of cradling their pappooses among the swaying branches of birch trees. This protected their babies from ground insects, the sun, and wild animals.

After first finding it funny, she soon learned all the great reasons for this practice and marvelled at the beauty of it.

Effie watched the swaying and soothing motion of the topmost branches of the trees. She loved how each baby enjoyed nature, how they listened to the songbirds, observed every ladybug, and smiled at the colours of a butterfly, every little breeze was felt and enjoyed by these young ones; each babe seemed perfectly content.

One of the Tribal mothers began to sing a song to the children in her native tongue. As the Muskogee mother sang, Miss Effie observed a small tear running down the mother’s cheek.

Effie translated the words and kept the tune. She shared it with everyone and it soon became a wildly popular nursery rhyme among the Colonies.

The English translation:

Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top,

When the wind blows the cradle will rock,

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby, cradle and all.

Why did the Muskogee mother cry?

A “bough” is simply a tree branch, and its breaking was used by the Muskogee mothers as an analogy of their little baby growing up.

Their little baby would soon outgrow his cradle. With each gently rocking wind, time was passing. One day, the little baby would no longer need the protection of their mother. One day, the “branch” would break because her little baby had become too heavy. The “cradle” would fall to the earth – the child, no longer a baby, would dust themselves off and grow into a self-responsible adult.

The now famous lullaby was first printed in Mother Goose’s Melody.

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"LIES MY MOM TOLD ME"

"LIES MY MOM TOLD ME"

(author unknown)

This story began when I was a child. I was born into a poor family that often didn’t have enough food to fill our hungry stomachs. During meal times, Mother would give me her portion of rice. As she transferred her rice into my bowl, she would always say, “Eat this rice, son. I’m not hungry.”

That was Mother’s First Lie.

As I grew up, my persevering mother spent her spare time fishing to provide me with nutrition. She would cook fresh fish soup for me, and while I ate, she would sit beside me, quietly picking at the remnants left on the fish bones I had finished. Feeling touched, I would offer her the other fish portion, but she always refused, saying, “Eat the fish, son. I don’t really like fish.”

That was Mother’s Second Lie.

When I was in junior high school, Mother took on extra work assembling used matchboxes to help fund my studies. One night, I woke up and saw her still working by candlelight. I said, “Mom, go to sleep. It’s late, and you have to work tomorrow.” She smiled and replied, “Go to sleep, dear. I’m not tired.”

That was Mother’s Third Lie.

The final term arrived, and Mother took leave from work to be with me. She patiently waited for hours in the heat while I finished my exam. When it ended, she welcomed me and poured a cup of tea from a flask. Seeing her covered in sweat, I offered her my cup, but she pushed it back and said, “Drink, son. I’m not thirsty!”

That was Mother’s Fourth Lie.

After my father died, my mother had to provide for us alone. Life became harder, more complicated, and we suffered daily. Despite our worsening situation, we were blessed with a kind old man who visited and helped us occasionally. Neighbours often advised my mom to remarry, but she refused, saying, “I don’t need love.”

That was Mother’s Fifth Lie.

After I finished my studies and got a job, it was time for my mom to retire. But she didn’t want to, she went to the marketplace every morning to sell vegetables to support herself. I worked in another city and often sent her money to help, but she wouldn’t accept it. Sometimes, she even sent the money back, saying, “I have enough money.”

That was Mother’s Sixth Lie.

With my Bachelor's Degree, I pursued a Master's funded by a company scholarship and got a job there. I planned to bring my mother to live with me so she could enjoy her life in the city, but she didn’t want to inconvenience me. She said, “I’m not used to that kind of life, son.”

That was Mother’s Seventh Lie.

In her later years, Mother became seriously ill and needed to be hospitalized. I travelled across the ocean to be by her side. She lay weak and exhausted on her bed after surgery, her frail appearance a stark reminder of the toll the illness had taken. Though she tried to smile warmly, it was clear it took considerable effort on her part. Seeing her like this broke my heart, and my tears flowed freely without me even realizing. Despite her own suffering, she gathered her remaining strength and said softly, “Don’t cry, my dear. I’m not in pain.”

That was Mother’s Eighth and Last Lie.

After uttering her final lie, my beloved mother closed her eyes forever, leaving behind a poignant silence that spoke louder than words ever could.

I realized that the greatest acts of love are often hidden behind simple, everyday sacrifices. Cherish the silent struggles of those who love us, for they reveal the depth of their devotion.

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"The Magic Mirror"

"The Magic Mirror"

(author unknown)

Once upon a time in a quiet village, there was a young girl named Emma. She lived with her grandmother, who was known for her wisdom and kindness. One day, Emma's grandmother gave her a special gift – a small, ornate mirror.

"This mirror holds a bit of magic, my dear," her grandmother said with a twinkle in her eye. "It can show you things beyond what you see with your eyes."

Emma was curious and held the mirror in her hands. As she gazed into it, she saw her own reflection, but there was something more. The mirror seemed to shimmer with a soft, golden light.

From that day on, Emma would often sit by her window with the mirror in her hands, wondering about the magic it held. She looked at the village, the trees, and the sky, hoping to see something extraordinary.

One evening, as the sun was setting and painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, Emma saw something amazing. In the mirror, she saw a field of colourful flowers, more vibrant than any she had ever seen. There were reds, blues, and yellows dancing in the breeze.

Emma's heart filled with wonder and she knew she had to find this magical place. She quickly got ready and set out on an adventure, taking the mirror with her.

She walked through forests and crossed streams, guided by the image in the mirror. Along the way, she met friendly animals and kind strangers who offered her food and shelter.

Finally, after days of travel, Emma arrived at a meadow filled with the very same flowers she had seen in the mirror. They were even more beautiful up close, their petals soft like silk.

As Emma explored the meadow, she discovered a hidden grove with a majestic tree at its centre. Its leaves seemed to sparkle like emeralds in the dappled sunlight. Under the tree, there was a small, weathered book.

When Emma opened the book, she found stories of adventures, kindness, and the magic of nature. She realized that the mirror had led her here not just to see something extraordinary, but to be a part of it.

With a heart full of gratitude, Emma returned to her village, carrying the magic of the meadow in her memories. She now knew that the mirror's true magic was not in showing her wonders, but in inspiring her to seek them out.

From that day on, Emma's village knew her as the girl with the magic mirror. She shared her stories and the wisdom she had gained from her adventure, reminding everyone that sometimes, the most magical things are found not in far-off lands, but in the simple wonders that surround us every day.

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"CATCH A FALLING STAR" by Becky Hemsley

"CATCH A FALLING STAR"
by Becky Hemsley

I caught a falling star last week,

It landed in my net

Its glow was slowly fading

So I nursed it back to strength

I fed it all the memories

Of laughter that we shared

I held it in these arms

That kept you safe when you were scared

I read it all the epic tales

Of storms we had to weather

And wrapped it in the layers of love

That hold my heart together

But then I slowly realised

It belonged up in the sky -

That sometimes when you love something

You have to let it fly

So I’m loading up my quiver

And I’m stretching out my bow

I’m practising my starry aim

Before I let it go

And it might be tomorrow

It could even be tonight

It could be weeks or months from now

Before the time is right

But I will choose my moment –

When your heart most needs a sign

And I’ll take my aim and launch

My shooting star across the sky

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by Benjamin Konïg

From the book When I Am Gone: https://a.co/d/3Gr3Zds

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