King Midas and the Golden Touch
Once, in the ancient land of Phrygia, there lived a king named Midas who loved two things more than anything else in the world: his young daughter and gold. While he was already a wealthy man, Midas spent his days in his counting-house, tallying his coins and dreaming of a way to become the richest man to ever live.
One day, after performing a kindness for a travelling god, Midas was granted a single wish. Without hesitation, he cried out, "I wish that everything I touch may turn to gold!" The wish was granted. At first, Midas was ecstatic. He touched a twig on a tree, and it turned to a heavy, shimmering yellow. He touched a stone, and it became a golden nugget. He rushed through his palace, turning chairs, tables, and even the roses in his garden into hard, scentless gold. He felt like the most powerful man on Earth.
But soon, the "gift" began to feel like a curse. When Midas grew hungry and tried to eat a piece of bread, it turned into a solid golden slab before it could reach his lips. When he tried to drink wine, it turned to liquid gold, burning his throat. He realised with horror that he was surrounded by infinite wealth, yet he was starving.
In his distress, his daughter ran into the room to comfort him. Forgetting his power, Midas reached out to hug her. The moment his fingers brushed her cheek, her laughter stopped, and her soft skin turned to cold, hard metal. She became a golden statue, silent and still. Midas fell to his knees, weeping over his "treasure." He realised that all the gold in the world was worthless compared to the warmth of his daughter's hand or the smell of a real rose. He begged for the curse to be lifted, finally understanding that true value is found in the things that gold can never buy.
