Little Johny

Little Johny came into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner.

His birthday was coming up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.

Mom, I want a bike for my birthday.

Little Johny was a bit of a troublemaker.

He had gotten into trouble at school and at home.

Johny's mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a bike for his birthday.

Little Johny, of course, thought he did.

Johny's mother wanted Johny to reflect on his behavior over the last year.

Go to your room, Johny, and think about how you have behaved this year.

Then write a letter to God and tell him why you deserve a bike for your birthday.

Little Johny stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write God a letter.
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Letter 1
Dear God,

I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a bike for my birthday.
I want a red one.

Your friend,
Johny
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Johny knew that this wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year,
So he tore up the letter and started over.
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Letter 2

Dear God,

This is your friend Johny. I have been a good boy this year and I would like
A red bike for my birthday. Thank you.

Your friend,
Johny
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Johny knew that this wasn't true either. So, he tore up the letter and started again.
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Letter 3

Dear God,

I have been an OK boy this year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday.

Johny
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Johny knew he could not send this letter to God either. So, Johny wrote a fourth letter.
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Letter 4

God,

I know I haven't been a good boy this year. I am very sorry.

I will be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my birthday.

Please! Thank you,

Johny
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Johny knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a bike.

Now, Johny was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church.

Johny's mother thought her plan had worked, as Johny looked very sad.

Just be home in time for dinner, Johny's mother told him.

Johny walked down the street to the church on the corner.

Little Johny went into the church and up to the altar.

He looked around to see if anyone was there.

Johny bent down and picked up a statue of the Mary.

He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his room.

He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and a pen.

Johny began to write his letter to God.
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Letter 5

God,

I'VE KIDNAPPED YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE!!!!!!

The Story of 4 Wives

Once upon a time. There was a rich merchant who had four (4) wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!" Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you 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 wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. 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 wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.

Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!"

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament.