4 Girlfriends

I have a friend who posted this and I love it. As she is a woman, it was originally written with regard to 4 boyfriends. As I am a man, I have taken the liberty to replace the boyfriends with girlfriends.

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Once upon a time there was a boy who had four girlfriends.

He loved the 4th girlfriend the most and adored her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd girlfriend very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd girlfriend. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever this boy faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The boys 1st girlfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first girlfriend. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the boy fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four girlfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th girlfriend, "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!", replied the 4th girlfriend, and she walked away without another word.

Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad boy then asked the 3rd girlfriend, "I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!", replied the 3rd girlfriend. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!"

His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd girlfriend, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me.

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd girlfriend. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave."
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the boy was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go."

The boy looked up, and there was his first girlfriend. She was emaciated as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the boy said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

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In truth, you have 4 girlfriends in your lives:

Your 4th girlfriend is your body.
No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your 3rd girlfriend is your possessions, status and wealth.
When you die, it will all go to others!

Your 2nd girlfriend is your family and friends.
No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your 1st girlfriend is your soul.
It is often neglected in the pursuit of wealth, power and the pleasures of the world.

However, your soul is the only thing that will follow you wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.


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I love this little story. It depicts the importance of taking care of that which would be most prudent and profitable for us. While I understand the soul to be defined as the unified spirit and body of a man or woman, I think the author was eluding to the spirit within us, when referring to the soul.

"Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every loyalty to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to principle; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretense or policy; but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good's sake - that is spirituality." - David O. McKay

In essence, and more succinctly, I think the story shines light on the importance in developing a noble character. I like this, and agree with it!