The only thing that goes with you
There was once a king who had four sons.
On his deathbed, as the room grew quiet and time felt… thinner, he called for his youngest.
“My son,” he said softly,
“I have spent my entire life thinking about you… worrying about you… protecting you.
Will you come with me to the afterworld?”
The son didn’t hesitate.
“Forgive me, father… but I cannot.
My place is here.”
The king closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he called for his third son.
“My son, I have spent my life fulfilling your every desire.
Everything you ever wanted… I gave you.
Will you come with me?”
The son stepped back.
“I’m sorry, father…
but this is where we part.”
A longer silence this time.
Then he called for his second son.
“My son… I have poured my love into you.
I have cherished you more than anything.
Will you come with me?”
Tears filled the son’s eyes.
“I wish I could…
but I cannot follow you there.”
The king’s heart sank.
He did not call for his eldest.
But the eldest came anyway.
The king looked at him, ashamed.
“My son…
you were the first.
But I ignored you all my life.
I gave you the least of my time… my attention… my care.”
The eldest smiled gently.
“Do not worry, father.
Wherever you go… I will go with you.”
—
The fourth son is your wealth.
The third is your body.
The second is your family and friends.
And the first…
Is your soul.
