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Thursday, August 28, 2025

The Empty Coffin: A Lesson in Living Fully

It was a bright Sunday afternoon in a quiet town. The birds were chirping, children were playing in the park, and in one corner of the city, Mr. Rajan, a wealthy businessman, was busy showing off his latest “investment.”

To everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t a luxury car, a villa, or even a piece of land. It was… a coffin.

Yes, you read that right.

Rajan had spent weeks having it custom-made. The coffin was built from the finest teak wood, polished so well that you could see your reflection on it. Beautiful carvings of flowers and vines curled across the sides, as if it were a piece of royal furniture. The inside was lined with soft felt—imported, of course—because, according to Rajan, “Even in death, one must have comfort.”


The Wise Friend

That day, Rajan called his old friend, Anand, a retired professor known for his wit and wisdom. He wanted Anand’s approval—because what was the point of spending a fortune if you didn’t have someone to admire it?

“What do you think of the carvings on the sides?” Rajan asked, his eyes shining with pride.
Anand, ever polite, nodded. “Very fine craftsmanship indeed.”

“And look at the inside,” Rajan continued, opening the lid as if unveiling a new sports car. “The best felt lining. Imported from Italy. Only the best for me.”

“Of course,” Anand said, trying not to smile.


The Question That Changed the Mood

Rajan puffed up his chest. “I wanted it to be perfect. The wood, the polish, the carvings, the lining—everything. Do you think anything is missing?”

Anand paused. His eyes twinkled with mischief and wisdom all at once. Then, with a calm smile, he replied:
“Yes, my friend. The occupant.”

The words struck harder than Rajan expected. For the first time, he looked at the coffin not as a trophy, but as a reminder. A reminder that no matter how rich, powerful, or respected one is, the end is the same—and we cannot take a single coin, a single comfort, or a single carving with us.


A Lesson for Modern Times

Rajan stood silent, and then, to Anand’s surprise, let out a hearty laugh.
“You’re right, old man. Here I am, showing off a bed I’ll never sleep in. Maybe I should start enjoying the life I still have instead of decorating the end of it.”

Anand chuckled. “Now you’re talking sense. Live well, do good, laugh often—and let the coffin wait for its time. After all, it’s the living who should enjoy the best felt, not the dead.”

From that day, Rajan’s perspective began to shift. He still loved his luxuries (he wouldn’t be Rajan without them), but he also started giving more time to people, causes, and experiences.


Moral of the Story

Life is short and unpredictable. We spend so much energy preparing for the future that sometimes we forget to live in the present. A coffin, no matter how beautiful, is just a box. What matters is how much love, laughter, and kindness we fill into the days before we enter it.

🌿 So, don’t wait to live. Smile more, love deeply, and make your story worth remembering. 🌿

___________

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Item Reviewed: The Empty Coffin: A Lesson in Living Fully Rating: 5 Reviewed By: BUXONE