Fairy Tales: The Golden Touch Of King Midas By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Once upon a time, a king named Midas lived in an ancient kingdom. King Midas loved many things, but above all, he loved gold. His heart leaped whenever he saw anything golden. But as much as he already owned, King Midas always wished for more.
One day, as he wandered in his garden, King Midas saw a young man asleep under a rose bush. This was no ordinary young man; this was Dionysus, the god of wine and festivity, and beside him was his faithful follower Silenus. Grateful for the kindness Midas showed to his follower, Dionysus offered to grant King Midas one wish as a reward.
Delighted, Midas thought for only a moment before he made his wish. “I wish that everything I touch turns into gold,” he declared, dreaming of endless riches. Dionysus warned him about the dangers of his wish, but Midas was too blinded by his greed. So, Dionysus granted him the golden touch.
The next morning, King Midas woke up eager to test his new power. He touched his bedside table, and to his delight, it turned into pure gold. He jumped out of bed and touched a chair, the carpet, and even the door, and all turned into gold. The more he touched, the happier he became.
When it was time for breakfast, Midas realized a problem. Every piece of food he tried to eat turned into gold the moment he touched it. His joy quickly turned into frustration as he couldn’t eat or drink anything at all. Everything he touched turned into gold, leaving it inedible and hard.
As he struggled with his new reality, his beloved daughter ran to greet him. In his excitement, Midas forgot about his curse and reached out to embrace her. With a simple touch, she too turned into a golden statue. His heart sank as he held his golden daughter, realizing his grave mistake.
In despair, King Midas returned to Dionysus and begged to be freed from the golden touch. Seeing Midas’s misery and regret, Dionysus took pity on him. “Go to the river Pactolus, wash your hands, and your power will wash away,” Dionysus instructed him.
Midas rushed to the river and washed his hands. As the golden touch left his body, the sands of the river sparkled with gold. He ran back home, and upon touching his daughter again, she returned to life. King Midas hugged her, grateful that his golden curse was gone.
From that day forward, King Midas became a different man. He learned to appreciate the beauty of his kingdom and the warmth of his people. He understood that true happiness doesn’t come from gold or riches but from the love and joy shared with others.
Moral:
The story of King Midas teaches us that greed can lead to great sorrow, and sometimes, what we desire most can turn out to be our downfall. It reminds us to cherish what we have, especially the people around us because, unlike gold, their love is invaluable.
About The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“The Golden Touch,” a retelling of the King Midas myth by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This story is part of Hawthorne’s collection titled “A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys,” first published in 1851.
In this retelling, King Midas, who is obsessed with wealth, wishes that everything he touches would turn to gold. His wish is granted, but he soon realizes the curse that comes with his greed. When even food and his beloved daughter turn to gold upon his touch, Midas is faced with the tragic consequences of his wish. Eventually, he repents and prays for the curse to be lifted. His wish is undone, teaching him a valuable lesson about the dangers of greed and the true value of life’s simple pleasures.
Hawthorne’s version of the story is well-known for its moral lesson and its appeal to both children and adults. It’s a beautifully written tale that emphasizes the importance of love, contentment, and the perils of excessive desire.
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