Xam

*THE GOLDEN TOUCH*

This is an excellent story with a beautiful moral, that one should have greediness in his life. If greediness dominates in a person, how that person will suffer in his life, has been wonderfully presented in this story.

Long ago there lived a rich man called Midas. He was a king. He had a little daughter called Mary Gold. He loved gold very much. He did not like anything else other than lots and lots of gold. In fact, he liked his position as King mainly because of his golden crown. He wanted to possess more gold. Even if he saw the golden light of the sun, he wished that it could change everything into gold. Even the sight of flowers in the garden did not make him happy. He wanted them to turn into gold. Even music could not make him happy. The only music he loved was the sound of gold coins. His liking on gold was increasing. Midas did not want to touch anything that was not gold. He kept a secret room under his palace and kept all his valuable gold collection. He visited the place everyday to touch and feel his gold collections He would enjoy the sight of gold bars, gold cups and plates. This gave him a sense of pleasure and pride.

One day, when Midas was in his treasure room, a wonderful thing happened. A stranger appeared before him. Midas was very much surprised to see the man in his secret room. But he immediately guessed that the man was no ordinary person. The stranger looked at his gold collection and asked about his desire to acquire more gold. Midan was so happy and expressed his desire to become rich quickly by turning everything into gold by his very touch. The Stranger granted the boon "Golden touch' to Midas, Midati was so happy to have such an amazing boon.
Next morning when the sunlight shone Midas got up from his sleep and was astonished to find that the sheet on his bed where he was sleeping had turned into gold. He became excited and touched one of the legs of his bed and it immediately became a golden pillar. He started touching everything and they became gold. Even his spectacles had turned into gold. Midas was so happy and jumped with excitement as his desire to become the richest man of the world is going to be achieved.
King Midas ent to the garden and the rose flowers had turn into gold with his touch. His Daughter Mary Gold cried bitterly on seeing the roses in gold, as she liked only the natural roses. The breakfast was on the table when he touched the food items on the table everything turned into gold. The coffee pot became golden and even the coffee had become liquid gold. Midas felt hungry and thirsty. He looked at his daughter Mary Gold who was eating happily in front of him. He had costly food like golden fish, golden bread and butter. But he was unable to eat. Mary Gold saw something was wrong in her father and came near to comfort him. Midas went down and kissed Mary Gold. At once Mary Gold turned into gold. Midas was shocked to see his only daughter hardened into a figure of solid gold. He tried his best to get her back to the original form but Mary Gold remained as a golden statue. Tears rolled and wept bitterly for loosing his darling daughter.

King Midas could not be the sight of Mary Gold. He felt very sad and sorry for his greediness and wished to become the poorest man in the entire world, if only his beloved daughter could become normal again. At this very thought of regret and realization, the stranger appeared before him and asked whether Midas was happy with the golden touch. Midas regretted for having such a boon and wanted to lead the normal life with his daughter by enjoying food and water like any other common man. Again the Stranger asked whether Midas wanted to keep his golden touch. Midas refused and wanted to lose the power of making everything into gold by his touch. Then the Stranger asked him to bring the water from the river nearby and to sprinkle it over anything that Midas wish to change again. Midas ran and plunged into the river and took a part of river water. He went straight to the golden figure of Mary Gold and sprinkled the water on her and she became normal. Both Midas and Mary Gold went to the garden watering the flowers, enjoying the sweet smell of the roses. Midas finally realized that greediness will only result in suffering and sorrow and normal life only gives