‎King Midas and the Golden Touch

‎In the ancient kingdom of Phrygia, nestled in the heart of Asia Minor, lived a wealthy and powerful king named Midas. His kingdom was a treasure trove of all kinds, and he ruled his land with great prosperity. His vast collection of precious jewels was a source of envy for all. His palace had walls of gold that sparkled. But despite all the riches surrounding him, King Midas had one overwhelming desire: to have more gold.
He couldn't think of anything else because his obsession with gold was so intense. Every room in his palace had golden decorations, and even the servants wore gold-adorned clothing. The king believed that gold was the key to happiness. He wanted to surround himself with endless wealth, believing that the more gold he accumulated, the happier he would become.
Midas came across an old satyr named Silenus one day while strolling through his lovely rose garden. Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, accompanied Silenus. The satyr was lost, weary from his journey, and was seeking shelter. King Midas, known for his generosity and hospitality, welcomed him with open arms. He provided food, drink, and a place for Silenus to rest. In an effort to demonstrate the satyr's noble character, the king treated him with great kindness. The wine god Dionysus appeared before the king and offered a reward when he learned of Midas' generosity. "Midas," said Dionysus, "You have shown kindness to my friend, Silenus. As a token of my appreciation, I shall grant you one wish. Be careful, as a wish from the gods is potent. Without a moment’s hesitation, Midas responded, "I wish that everything I touch will turn to gold."
"Are you sure, King Midas?" Dionysus asked Midas as he gave her a knowing look. Gold may bring wealth, but it may also bring sorrow. Give your wish careful consideration." But King Midas, blinded by his greed and obsession with wealth, insisted. "Yes, I am certain. I want everything I touch to turn to gold."
With a sigh, Dionysus granted Midas’s request. "So be it," he said, and touched Midas's hand. Instantly, the king felt a strange power coursing through him. From that moment, whatever Midas touched would turn into solid gold.
Midas rushed to put his new ability to the test, ecstatic beyond words. He touched a nearby twig, and it instantly turned to gold. When he touched a rock, it too became gold, and he smiled in awe. He walked through his palace, touching statues, furniture, and even the walls, all of them turning into solid gold. Midas laughed joyously, imagining how he would be the wealthiest man in the world.
But soon, the consequences of his wish began to reveal themselves.
The king got hungry, so he sat down to eat. He eagerly reached for a loaf of bread, but the moment his fingers touched it, the bread turned to gold. His heart sank as he tried to eat a piece of meat, only to see it turn into a golden brick in his hands. Desperate, he tried to drink a cup of wine, but it froze into a solid golden block before it could touch his lips. He was unable to eat or drink anything, and a wave of dread washed over him.
Just then, his beloved daughter, Marigold, entered the room. She ran toward her father, eager to greet him. But as soon as she touched him, she too turned into a lifeless golden statue. King Midas's heart broke into a thousand pieces as he saw the one person he loved most in the world transformed into an inanimate object.
Midas knelt down and cried out to the heavens in his despair. "What are my actions? I wanted gold, but now I have lost everything! Please, Dionysus, take back this cursed gift. I no longer dream of having gold. I want my daughter back. I want my life back."
Moved by Midas's genuine sorrow, Dionysus appeared before him once more. "Midas," he said gently, "You have learned a painful lesson. Your greed has caused you suffering. The curse can still be broken, though. Go to the river Pactolus and wash yourself in its waters. The golden touch's power will vanish when you do." Without hesitation, Midas raced to the river, hoping that he could reverse the terrible curse. He felt the golden power drain from his body as he entered the flowing waters. He knelt by the riverbank and scooped up water, pouring it over his hands, his face, and his body. He felt the golden touch leave slowly. Midas then rushed back to his palace, where he found his daughter, Marigold, still frozen in gold. He poured the river water over her statue, and miraculously, her golden form softened. Her cheeks regained their natural color, and her body began to move once more. Marigold gave a quick blink before looking around with wide eyes of wonder. "Father!" she cried, and they embraced each other joyfully.
From that day forward, Midas was no longer interested in gold. He realized that true happiness did not come from wealth, but from love, family, and the simple joys of life. He had discovered that the heart's treasures were far more valuable and that the pursuit of gold could result in significant losses. King Midas's palace, once filled with glittering gold, was transformed into a warm, welcoming place of love and kindness. The king spent the rest of his life with Marigold, cherishing every moment with her. He became known as a wise and humble ruler, and his story spread far and wide as a cautionary tale.
Midas washed away the golden curse in the Pactolus River, which became a symbol of change and redemption. The river was said to carry traces of gold in its sands, a reminder of the time when a king learned that true wealth lies not in gold, but in the richness of the soul.