Oh how I wish I was the greatest, most powerful man in the land ... then everyone would envy me.
One day, the king was walking through the garden and he saw a pair of legs sticking out of the bush, but instead of having feet, the legs had hoofs. He didn't know what this creature was so he called the gardener's boy.
"Gardener's boy, could you come here?!"
"It's a satyr, your majesty. I think its Silenus."
"What do you make of that?"
They drug Silenus from under the rosebush and up to his feet.
"You're trespassing in my garden. What what have you to say for yourself?"
"I got lost, so I sat down for a drink."
"Disgraceful. I shall send word to your master at once."
"I beg you not to do that. He will be angry with me. Suppose I make a bargain with you? If you will overlook my foolishness, I will entertain you with strange and wonderful tales, better than any you have heard before?"
Silenus became worried, his master was the god Dionysus, who was not only powerful but also quick tempered.
Midas agreed and the Satyr stayed in the palace. He told him all sorts of stories that were very intriguing. At the end of the week, Midas sent the Satyr back to Dionysus.
Midas took the satyr back to Dionysus. The god was pleased to see him safe and sound. He thanked Midas for taking care of the satyr and offered the king any gift he cared to name. He pondered for a day and night and then asked they god for the power to turn anything he touched into gold. The god granted his wish and then the king went on his way.
"Imagine a king with a golden touch! I shall be the wealthiest and most powerful king in the world."
Midas began experimenting with his new ability. He went to the garden and touched a rose bush and turned it to gold. He went from bush to bush touching the blooms and turning it to gold, the he felt doubtful because the garden no longer had color.
Inside the palace, the king called for wine, and when he put it to his lips to drink it the wine turned to gold and he could not drink it.
"What have I done? If I cannot eat or drink I shall die. "
He got an apple and right as he touched it it turned to gold. He knew he had made a terrible mistake and decided to beg Dionysus to take back his gift.
What will happen when I eat?
"Stay away from me!"
His daughter ran in the room and took no notice to what her father was telling her, she wrapped her arms around him and turned into s golden statue. He stared at her in horror
"What have I done to you?!!!"
"Forgive my stupid greed! Tell me what I must do to save my child. I will do anything you say."
"Find the river of Pactolus and wash yourself in its waters."
Midas set off at once to find the river and walked for many miles over rough and stony ground.
When he reached the river it was flowing deep and strong. He waded in and was swept away by the current, when he managed to reach the shore he hoped the curse was washed from him. There were tiny pebbles of gold on the river bed. The god had spoken truthfully and the curse left him.
Madis made his way home to the palace.
"I've learned my lesson, and I am content."
Midas got home and his daughter ran to him and gave him s hug. He was glad to hear her laughter once again, and sighed happily as he breathed in the smell of the flowers.