Quantity of life

A story is told of a king who lived many years. Now, when he reached 100 years old, death came knocking at his door and told him “It’s time”.

But he was not ready to die. He was not satisfied with his life and he needed more time.

So, he begged death to spare him and give him 100 more years.

But death was adamant that he had to take him unless someone else dies in his stead.

Now, the king had many sons. Many of whom were also old. So, he asked his sons if they would die on his behalf.

But they all refused. They said that they were not ready to die. They needed more time because they were not satisfied with their lives.

However, the youngest son, barely 10 years old decided to volunteer to die in his father’s stead.

Asked why he volunteered to die, he said, “What is the point of living so many years full of dissatisfaction?

“Why have a long life full of misery?”. “Why have quantity without quality?

So, death took the life of the son.

And the king lived many more years.

But as promised, after 100 years, death came calling again.

But the king still lamented that he needed more time because he was still not satisfied with his life.

Perhaps, a single day lived with satisfaction is worth more than 100 years of misery.

Life is life

Fabio