King Midas and the Golden Wish

King Midas loved gold. He loved it more than anything, more than music, more than flowers, more even than his breakfast.

One day, a magical old man fell asleep in Midas's garden. The king had him carried to a warm bed and given hot soup. When the old man woke up, he smiled a very special smile.

"That was kind," said the man. "I will grant you one wish."

"I wish that everything I touch turns to gold!" cried King Midas, and then he jumped up and down, because he thought he was very clever.

But at breakfast, his porridge turned to gold. His toast turned to gold. His cup of warm milk turned to gold. He was terribly hungry.

His little daughter Marygold ran in and he hugged her, and then she was gold too, cold and still and golden. Midas sat down on the floor and cried.

He went back to the old man and said sorry.

"Go to the river," said the man, "and wash your hands."

Midas ran to the river and splashed his hands in the cold water, and the golden touch washed away. He ran home. His daughter blinked, and yawned, and hugged him.

From that day on, King Midas thought golden things were the least interesting things in the world. He liked warm porridge much, much better.