King Midas and his Golden Touch
A Greek Myth
Cartoon by Gareth Pitchford
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©1997 G.Pitchford
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King Midas was a foolish and
greedy man. He wanted to be the richest man in the
world.
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One day an old satyr came to King
Midas' palace. Midas recognised him as Silenus, a friend of
the god Dionysus.
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Instead of sending Silenus away
King Midas invited him to stay and enjoy his
hospitality.
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The god Dionysus was pleased
Midas had helped his friend and offered to grant Midas a
wish.
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King Midas wished that everything
he touched would turn to gold. Then he would be the richest
man in the world.
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The god kept his promise and sure
enough, everything Midas touched turned to gold. He went
round his palace using his new power.
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But Midas' wish turned against
him. He found that he couldn't eat or drink as all his food
and wine turned to gold when he touched it!
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Midas begged Dionysus to remove
the spell. Dionysus told Midas how he could get rid of the
gift.
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Midas washed his 'golden touch'
away in the river Pactolus. Even now the soil along the
riverbank has a golden gleam.
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