Lessons from Alexander the Great

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 dared 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 learned...

1. "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.

2. "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.

3. "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.

From: M. Nawaz
Source: apocryphal