King Midas and the Golden Touch
Classical Stories · No. 32 — The wish that turned everything — even a daughter — to gold.
- Classical Stories
- 44 min
- Ages 8–13
- 7 chapters
About this audiobook
King Midas does a kindness to an old companion of the wine-god Dionysus, and the god grants him any wish he wants. Midas, who loves gold above all things, asks that everything he touches turn to gold. At first it is wonderful — twigs, stones, and roses stiffen into treasure at his fingertips. Then he tries to eat, and his bread and wine turn to metal in his mouth. And when his beloved daughter runs to comfort him, she too becomes a cold golden statue. Now the richest man in the world would give every ounce of it back.
Why it's worth a listen
A king is granted the one wish greedy hearts always make — that everything he touches turn to gold — and learns before the day is out that a golden rose has no scent, a golden feast cannot be eaten, and a golden daughter cannot laugh. The most famous 'be careful what you wish for' story ever told, and still the sharpest.
A question to keep
When you finally get exactly what you wished for, how do you know if it was worth wishing?
Chapters
- The King Who Counted in the Dark
- A God’s Sad Gift
- The Bright Morning of the World
- The Bitter Feast
- The Silent Princess
- The River of Wash-Away
- A Question to Keep