D. He realized he was being punished by God for his disregard for his father's advice.
I believe the answer is that 'only a person's good deeds remain with him or her in the afterlife'. It is important to be a good person and do good, and everything else is fleeting, it will disappear. But you will be awarded for your good deeds.
Alliteration and Assonance
Can you tell what story this is from