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 use.
He now longed to reach home to see his mother’s face and bid her 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 thatâ€, 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 treasuryâ€. 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 coffinâ€.
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 all your wishes will 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 on this earth can really cure anybody. 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 path to the graveyard is to tell people that Not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life with the greed for power, 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 my people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this worldâ€. With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last.
Wow. I hope he went to heaven. I’ll remember him in my prayers.
Sir,The Great Alexander’s 3rd.wise is in the BIBLE.(Ecclesiastes 5;15)…samuel
it is all true we came naked and simple so shall be our return……….i believe in the story…lols
The people of the world run after the worldly joys and forget Lord. This will lead them to the fire of hell. Repenting and turning away from sins alone can save a person and bring him to salvation. Pray for me my brothers and sisters who read this message.
good one. But i would be very happy if anyone kindly tell whether this story a fiction or fact. Thanks folks
Agree with Kil. Are these last wishes really recorded in history or pure fiction? I just don’t believe it. Please provide a citation. Homer? Plato? Euripides?, whoever!
Putting words in the mouths of the dead is very offensive even when done for some “higher purposes”
All the best,
April
I know Alexander is in heaven with God. I was fortunate & I admit humbly that I was given a vision in which Alexander was with Jesus in eternal peace. However, he is like a child and doesn’t have the power he had on earth. Or at least, his power seemed insignificant to me compared with that of Jesus. I hope this answers anyone’s anxiety about whether Alexander made it into heaven or not. I hear he suffered on earth one day for each year of conquest. Perhaps it was God’s way of cleansing him for preparation into the next world. Peace.