King Midas and the Golden Touch - WordPress.comKing Midas and the Golden Touch Silenus [sie-LEEN-uhs] was the oldest and merriest follower of Bacchus [BAK-uhs], the Wine God. One fine

Greek and Roman Mythology

King Midas andthe Golden Touch

Silenus [sie-LEEN-uhs] was the oldest andmerriest follower of Bacchus [BAK-uhs], the WineGod. One fine day he wandered off fromBacchus'sband of revelers into a land called Phrygia, where

roses grow. Drunk on wine and roses, the old man fell asleep near thepalace of King Midas [MY-duhs], The country folk found him snoring awaybehind a rose bush. As a joke, they crowned him with a wreath of roses andled him to Mtdas's court. The King of Phrygia was a well-meaning, good-natured man, though not too bright. He received Silenus kindly, entertainedhim lavishly, and gave him food and new clothes. Then he led him back tothe jolly band of Bacchus, where he belonged,

Bacchus was so pleased,to have merry Silenus back that heresolved to raakeMdas a gilt. "You. have been so good to my old teacherand companion," he said. The gods don't forget. Askfor whatever you like,and you shall .have it."

Midas, who wasn't much givento thought, didn't have to think twiceor even once. He was already rich,but why not be richer? "I wish," hesaid, "that everything I touch mightturn to gold." Bacchus looked at himstrangely. "You shall have your wish,"he said, and he then went off to listento Pan'SffHpes.

?Mid@s Petiffiiad to his palatefull of delight. He touched a marblecolumn as he passed, and it turnedyellow, fctelpi^ed twigs and stones, ,and they turned to gold. But he beganto have doubts when he stroked his

sooided, aad he hurried in to hisrneai, tafedng- caie not fe*aj|?ifcte

goodGrapes

, puiple, a^aiifeer;.; tfep4own at ther, of course, tenedlEorn iv©ry to §aid), he plucked

. Ohtiorrors! It turned into

Bacchus= Dionysus

rTTTTTT

ST

1

O

'a

tr*>i UfS^

n's Pipes

Bacchus was the

a gold lump; in disgust he spat it out. He tried the soup — it turned to molten

© Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers 51

Greek and Roman Mythology King Midas and the Golden Touch

horrified when histouch turned hisdaughter into agolden statue.

gold and burned his mouth. Likewise the bread, cheese—everything. Hewas stricken; at this rate he would starve to death. His courtiers, servants,and dinner guests were watching him curiously. Some of the more hard-hearted were trying not to laugh.

His little daughter Marigold, soft and sweet as an angel, ran up to himwith compassion. "Oh dear father!" she cried, "Are you ill? What is thematter?" She embraced him lovingly, her warm arms around his neck. All

at once she stiffened; her limbs grew hard. Her whitelinen tunic and peaches-and-cream complexion turnedyellow. Her lovely hair did not change color—it hadalways shone like the rays of the rising sun. LittleMarigold had turned into a golden statue!Midas was appalled. He called out to the god: "Bacchus,divine Bacchus, come take away this terrible gift!" Atfirst the god did not hear him. He was far away in thevineyards listening to Pan's music. But he heard at lastand came to the king. "Well, Midas," said he, kindly, yeta little sternly. "Do you still think gold the finest thing inthe world?""Never again, good Bacchus," replied the king humbly.'Takeaway this golden curse and give me my Marigold!"What the gods give, they do not take back lightly. ButBacchus was too good-natured to pursue thepunishment any further. Besides, he was still gratefulto Midas for his kind treatment of Sitenus. So he said,

"Go to the River Pactolus and wash."Midas did not hesitate. He ran out of his palace and plunged down

the bank toward the river, everything his feet touched stilt turning to gold ashe passed. He leaped into the river. As the waters washed over him/he feltborn again, free of the curse of gold and of^hisf reedfor gold. He felt all hisburdens drop away. His stiff golden tunicwas soft white linen again; his beltand sandals were pliant leather once m©fevHe had returned to the nateral,the human. But the sandfeifs of the river where he washed away his siwturned gold and remained so always. '

A new manrhe|aBback to his palaee art embraoed hisctoghtenAt first .she rerai iisedJ iitmiafew wntifesisMwas notongeratltottiBta warm, bresttwtg, loving Ifarms. -~- '

ami -his guestsfe Ustevertiad food and drink tasted so good! When they

had finished, Marigold took her father's hand arid told htm about somebeautiful white flowers, anemones, she had found in the woods.

© Mark Twain Media, inc., Publishers 52

Greek and Roman Mythology King Midas and the Golden Touch

"Won't you come see them with me?""Of course, my dear."He walked with her to the flowery terraces of the green woods and

found there greater joys than the gold bars and coins of his treasure househad ever offered.

King Midas and Marigold stopped to enjoy the beauty of the flowers, which they realized was moreimportant than any golden treasure.

Beyond the Myth

1. What is the lesson (meaning) of the story of King Midas?

2. Did you ever know anyone who loved gold (or money or possessions) more than human beings?What kind

Identify:SilenusMidas

BacchusMarigold

anemone

Locate on a map:Phrygia

© Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers 53