Said the Lord Vishnu to his devotee: “I am weary of your never-ending petitions. I shall grant you three requests. Make sure you choose them carefully because, having granted them, I shall grant you nothing more.” The elated devotee did not hesitate: “Here is my first request,” he said, “I want my wife to die so I can marry a better woman.” His wish was immediately granted. But when friends and relatives gathered for the funeral and began to recall the virtues of his wife, the devotee saw he had been hasty. So he asked the Lord to bring her back to life. That left him with just one petition. He was determined not to make a mistake this time, for there would be no chance to change it. He consulted widely. Some advised him to ask for immortality. But, what good was immortality, said others, if he did not have good health? And health if he had no money? And money if he had no friends? Years passed and he had still not made his choice: life or health or wealth or power or love. Finally he said to the Lord, “Tell me what to ask for.” The Lord laughed when he saw the man’s predicament, and said, “Ask to be content no matter what you get.”

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