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