King Midas was a very kind man. He loved to listen to music and eat delicious food. He also loved strolling in his rose garden. One evening a satyr named Silenus got lost. He wandered into King Midas’ rose garden and soon fell asleep.
The next morning King Midas’ gardener found the satyr in the garden and took him to the king. Silenus stood before King Midas. "Why were you sleeping in my rose garden?" asked the king. Silenus explained how he had gotten lost, and King Midas felt sorry for the creature. "I will not punish you. You may go in peace," he said.
Silenus was very grateful to King Midas. Silenus was an old friend of Dionysus, the god of wine. Dionysus was very powerful. He listened as Silenus told him about the kind King Midas.
After hearing the story, Dionysus went to see King Midas. He wanted to reward him with a special gift. "You were kind to my friend. So I will give you one wish. You may have whatever you want," said Dionysus.
The king did not have to think for very long. He knew exactly what he wanted. "I wish that everything I touch will turn to gold!" said the excited king. Then he picked up a stone from the ground. King Midas stared at the gold stone in his hand. His wish had come true!
King Midas touched the door. He touched the throne. He ran over and touched the table. "I’m rich! I’m the richest man in the world!" shouted the happy king. King Midas had fun turning his possessions into gold, but before long, he was hungry.
"Bring me my dinner!" boomed the king. The servant brought in a large dish of chicken. But when Midas picked up the chicken and bit it, what happened? Ouch! It turned to gold!
The king was so hungry, but everything he touched turned to gold. How could he eat gold? It was not possible. The frustrated and hungry king needed some fresh air. The rose garden was the only place where King Midas could find peace.
He reached out to smell one of the roses. When he touched the rose, it turned into gold and fell to the ground. As the king tried to run away, he bumped into the bushes and turned them all into gold. "Oh, my beautiful roses!" cried the king.
King Midas was not enjoying himself anymore. The king was getting tired and wanted to rest. He laid his head on his pillow, but it turned to gold as well. "Why? Why did I make this wish?" cried the king.
King Midas was the richest man in the world. He got exactly what he asked for: everything he touched turned to gold. But he was not happy. In fact, he was miserable. He could not eat, sleep, or admire his flowers.
Then King Midas heard the royal trumpets. "At last!" shouted the king.
"Here is someone who can make me happy again!" The king ran and opened the gold door to welcome his daughter. She had just returned from a long journey.
"Father!" the princess shouted happily.
"My daughter!" shouted the king. But as soon as King Midas touched the princess, she turned into a gold statue. "No! No! This must end!" cried the king.
That evening Dionysus received an unexpected visit.
"Please, I don’t want the golden touch anymore," King Midas said sadly.
"I thought you wanted to be rich," said Dionysus.
"No amount of gold is worth losing the things I love."
Dionysus felt sorry for Midas.
"I wish I had never asked for this gift," Midas said.
"I’m glad you learned a lesson from this," Dionysus told the king. "I will grant you your new wish."
Everything the king had touched returned to normal. King Midas was so happy to have all his things restored. Most of all, he was happy to have his daughter back. King Midas was not as rich as before, but it didn’t matter. For he learned that the best things in life are not made of gold.