Skip to main content

King Midas from Greek mythology // the Midas touch // the Golden touch


 King Midas was the wealthy ruler of Phrygia, a region in ancient Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). He was known for his love of gold and great wealth, which he amassed through his shrewd business sense and control of the city's gold mines. Midas was a proud man who saw his wealth as a symbol of his power and importance.


One day, as Midas was walking through the countryside, he came across a drunken follower of the god Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and theater. The man had been abandoned by his companions, and Midas took pity on him and brought him back to his palace. Dionysus, pleased with Midas's kindness, offered to grant him any wish he desired as a reward.


Midas, who had long harbored a deep desire for even more wealth and power, foolishly asked for everything he touched to turn to gold. Dionysus warned him that he might regret his wish, but Midas was confident that he had made the right choice.


At first, Midas was overjoyed with his new power. He touched a twig and watched as it turned to gold in his hand. He ran through his gardens, touching flowers and fruit, turning them into glittering golden objects. He even touched his own food and drink, relishing the sensation of biting into a golden apple or drinking from a golden goblet.



However, it wasn't long before Midas realized the terrible consequences of his wish. He tried to eat some food, but it turned to gold as soon as it touched his lips. He tried to drink some water, but it too turned to gold and he was unable to quench his thirst. Even his beloved daughter, who came to embrace him, turned to gold in his arms.


Midas was horrified by the curse that had befallen him. He wandered through his palace, touching everything in his path, turning it all to gold. He realized that his greed had led him to a terrible fate, and he longed to be rid of his cursed power.


Desperate for a solution, Midas sought out Dionysus and begged him to take back his gift. The god instructed Midas to wash his hands in the river Pactolus, and as he did so, the river turned to gold. Midas was afraid that he would be turned to gold as well, but as he continued to wash his hands, the gold washed away and he was freed from his curse.


From that day forward, Midas became a changed man. He realized that his love of gold had led him down a dangerous path, and he began to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. He became a devoted follower of Dionysus, dedicating himself to god's worship and vowing to use his wealth and power for good.


The story of King Midas has become a famous cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of being careful about what you wish for. It has inspired countless works of art and literature, from Ovid's Metamorphoses to Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Golden Touch." Even today, the phrase "the Midas touch" is used to describe someone with an exceptional ability to make money or succeed in business, but it also carries a warning about the potential costs of such power.



THANK  YOU


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Complete Writings of O. Henry

 "The Complete Writings of O. Henry" is a comprehensive collection of short stories written by American author William Sydney Porter, who wrote under the pseudonym O. Henry. This collection includes all of O. Henry's published works, including his most famous short stories, such as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Ransom of Red Chief," and "The Last Leaf." O. Henry was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1862, and his family moved frequently throughout his childhood. After dropping out of school at the age of fifteen, O. Henry worked in a drugstore and then as a bank teller. He was later convicted of embezzlement and served time in prison, an experience that would shape his writing. After his release from prison, O. Henry moved to Texas and began to write stories for local newspapers. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and entertaining writer, and his stories were widely read and enjoyed. In 1902, O. Henry moved to New York City, whe...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Water Margin

 The Water Margin, also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, is a Chinese novel that was written in the 14th century during the Yuan Dynasty. The novel is a classic of Chinese literature and is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The Water Margin tells the story of a group of outlaws who rebel against corrupt government officials and become heroes in their local communities. The novel is set in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and is based on real historical events and figures. The main character of the novel is Wu Song, a brave and loyal soldier who is falsely accused of a crime and forced to leave the army. Wu Song becomes an outlaw and joins a group of rebels who live in the forests and mountains. The group is led by Song Jiang, a charismatic and skilled fighter who is determined to overthrow corrupt government officials and restore justice to the land. As the story unfolds, the group of rebels grows larger and more powerful, and they engage in a series...
Post a Comment
Read more