Life in a Blogshell

Hey everyone

I came across this meaningful email about Alexander the Great. Take a moment to reflect on it….

>Subject: Alexander the Great
>  Here is a 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  in his
>face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp
>sword and all his wealth were all 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 grave yard 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.