The golden touch

There once lived a king named Midas who was very rich. He loved two things above all else: his little daughter and gold. The king had many rooms full of gold, but he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to possess even more gold.

One day when the king was in his garden, an unknown visitor came to him. He told the king that he could wish for anything he wanted. At first the king did not believe the stranger, but finally he was convinced (使信服). “I wish to have more gold,” the king said. “Very well,” answered the stranger. “You shall have your wish. From tomorrow, everything you touch will turn to gold.”

The next morning the king got out of bed early. He wanted to see if his wish had been granted. First, he touched a chair, then a flower, then a table. Everything he touched turned to gold! The king was very happy. Then, he sat down to eat breakfast. But as soon as he touched his food, it turned to gold. The king began to worry. What would happen if he couldn’t eat anything?

Just then the little princess came into the dining room. She ran to her father. But as he touched her, she turned to gold.

The king was sad and worried. He went out to the garden. As he was walking, he saw the stranger again. The king begged him to take back the wish. “I don’t want any more gold,” he cried. The stranger warned the king to be sure this time. Then, he agreed to take back the wish.

From that day on, the king was a wiser and happier man, even though he had less gold.

The king was sad and worried. He went out to the garden. As he was walking, he saw the stranger again. The king begged him to take back the wish. “I don’t want any more gold,” he cried. The stranger warned the king to be sure this time. Then, he agreed to take back the wish.

From that day on, the king was a wiser and happier man, even though he had less gold.