
The Golden Touch
By srihari

03 Jul, 2023

Once upon a time, in a far-off land of Greece, there lived a King named Midas who was known for his enormous wealth. Gold was his favorite amongst all his riches.

His palace was full of golden artifacts and jewels that sparkled like the morning sun. People from far and wide used to visit his kingdom to marvel at his wealth.

Above all his riches, there was something more precious to King Midas: his darling daughter. She was as lovely as a blooming flower, and her laughter was the sweetest sound to him.

One day, while he was strolling in his garden, something unusual caught his eye. Midas found a frail and weak angel lying on the ground.

Being a kind king, he wanted to help the angel. Despite her non-earthly origins, the angel seemed just as vulnerable and in need as any human.

Midas gently picked her up and brought her to the palace. He ordered his servants to provide the angel with food and a warm bed to rest.

After a few days, the angel regained her strength and thanked Midas for his kindness. She was extremely grateful and decided to reward him.

With a heavenly glow, she said, "Oh noble King, you have a heart of gold. In gratitude for your kindness, I will grant you a wish of your choice."

King Midas, smitten by her celestial charm, and having a deep affection for gold, wished that everything he touched should turn into gold.

The angel warned him, "Think carefully, Midas. Sometimes, too much of a good thing can be harmful." But he was adamant and reiterated his wish.

With a sad smile, the angel agreed and blessed him with the golden touch. Midas was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to test his new power.

As he proceeded towards his castle, he touched a few rocks and plants. To his delight, they turned into solid gold.

Midas was thrilled! His joy knew no bounds. He began touching everything around him, turning them all into gold.

Upon reaching his castle, he ran to his daughter in enthusiasm to share the excitement of his new gift. Overwhelmed with joy, he hugged his beloved daughter.

To his utter horror, his daughter, in his arms, turned into a lifeless statue of gold. She was no longer the lively girl who filled his life with happiness.

Midas was shattered. He cried out in despair and held the golden statue of his daughter tight. The golden touch that delighted him minutes ago was his curse now.

He realized the grave mistake he had made. His greed for gold had taken away his only source of true happiness.

In his sorrow, he prayed to the angel, pleading and begging her to take away his golden touch and bring his daughter back to life.

The angel, in her divine wisdom, understood Midas's regret and pain. She decided to give him a chance to rectify his mistake.

She appeared before him and with a compassionate look said, "You have understood your mistake, Midas. Greed only brings sorrow. I will take away your golden touch."

With a wave of her hand, the castle turned back to normal. His daughter, once a golden statue, was alive again. She blinked in confusion, but quickly hugged her father.

Midas hugged her back, tears streaming down his face, but this time, out of relief and pure joy. He had got his precious daughter back.

From that day, Midas became a changed man. He no longer cherished his gold but valued the true riches of life: love, compassion, and contentment.

This story of King Midas serves as a reminder that greed for more can lead to unexpected consequences. It tells us that what glitters is not always gold.

The real wealth in life are the relationships and love we nurture. Chasing materialistic pleasures will only leave us empty-handed in the end.

So, let us learn from King Midas's story and strive to lead a balanced life. It is vital to appreciate what we have and understand the essence of true happiness.

In the grand scheme of life, the pursuit for more and more often leads us astray. Let's strive to value our blessings and remain content with what we have.

King Midas's tale is a timeless lesson on greed and contentment. It continues to hold relevance even today, reminding us of the potential repercussions of our desires.

So remember, just like the wise angel mentioned to Midas, too much of a good thing can be harmful. Greed is not good and can cause unexpected consequences.

To lead a fulfilling life, we must learn to be content with what we have. True happiness lies in contentment, not in the accumulation of wealth or materialistic possessions.

Therefore, value the true riches of life, cherish the love of your loved ones, and always remain humble and content. That is the greatest treasure one can possess.

The story of King Midas urges us to ponder upon our own wishes. It nudges us to opt for desires that add value to our lives and not just materialistic possessions.

The tale of King Midas and his golden touch is a constant reminder. A reminder that directs us to evaluate our choices, and to choose wisely, for our choices have consequences.

So my dear friends, let's learn from Midas's story and aim to lead a life of contentment and satisfaction. Let's remember that, in the end, it is not our wealth but our deeds that define us.

Let's make choices that enrich our lives in true sense, cherishing the moments, the people and the experiences that make our lives worthwhile.