The Golden Touch

King Midas loved gold more than anything. He loved his daughter Marygold very much too. But he always wished her flowers were made of gold.

One day, a glowing stranger appeared in Midas's treasure room. "What would make you happy?" the stranger asked. Midas had a bright idea.

"I wish everything I touch would turn to gold!" said Midas. The stranger smiled wide. "At sunrise, you will have the Golden Touch," he said, and was gone.

The next morning, Midas touched his bedsheet and it turned to gold! He ran about touching everything he could reach. "Everything I touch turns to gold!" he laughed.

Midas ran into the rose garden feeling very pleased. He touched every rose on every bush. Each pink rose turned hard and yellow. "Everything I touch turns to gold!" he cried.

Back inside, Midas sat down for breakfast. Every bite he took turned to solid gold in his mouth. He was very hungry, but he could not eat a thing.

Little Marygold ran in crying, because her roses were ruined. She hugged her father to comfort him. When Midas kissed her, she turned into a golden statue.

Midas wept and called out for help. The glowing stranger appeared again. "Jump in the river," he said. "Bring the water home. It will undo the gold."

Midas ran to the river and jumped in. He felt the golden touch wash away. He filled a pitcher with cool river water and hurried home.

Midas sprinkled the river water over Marygold. The gold faded away and her rosy cheeks came back. She sneezed and hugged her father tight.

Midas used the last drops on the rose garden. Every yellow rose turned pink and sweet-smelling again. Marygold laughed and clapped her hands.

That evening, Midas held Marygold close in the quiet garden. He never wished for gold again. Love is worth more than all the gold in the world.