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.

*1) "My first desire is that", said Alexander, *
*"My physicians alone must" carry my coffin." *

*2) 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".*

*3) 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 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.*
*Lessons to be learnt from last 3 wishes of King Alexander...
*
*I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that
no doctor ***

*on this earth 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 path
to the graveyard *

*is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. *
*I spent all my life Greed of 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 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. . . .