Classic Stories: King Midas and his Golden Touch
Learning English Stories
Deep Dive
What is the main lesson from the story of King Midas?
The story of King Midas teaches the lesson of being careful what you wish for, as greed can lead to unintended and tragic consequences. Midas's wish to turn everything he touches into gold initially brings him joy, but it soon results in his inability to eat, drink, or even embrace his daughter without turning her into gold. Ultimately, he learns the value of true happiness and generosity.
Why does Dionysus grant King Midas a wish?
Dionysus grants King Midas a wish because Midas safely returns Silenus, Dionysus's special friend and former tutor, who had gone missing. Dionysus is touched by Midas's kindness and offers him any wish as a reward.
What happens when King Midas touches his daughter?
When King Midas touches his daughter, she turns to gold, just like everything else he touches. This moment highlights the tragic consequences of his wish and his realization of its foolishness.
How does King Midas reverse the effects of his golden touch?
King Midas reverses the effects of his golden touch by following Dionysus's instructions to wash his hands in the river Pactolus. As he does so, gold flows from his hands, and everything he had previously touched returns to normal.
What does King Midas do after regaining his normal touch?
After regaining his normal touch, King Midas becomes a better person, sharing his wealth generously with his people and living a life of gratitude. His people prosper, and he is mourned as a beloved king after his death.
What is the significance of the phrase 'touch and go' in the story?
The phrase 'touch and go' is used to describe the uncertain situation of finding Silenus, Dionysus's friend, who had gone missing. It emphasizes the precariousness of the search and the potential for failure.
What does the story of King Midas reveal about the dangers of greed?
The story of King Midas reveals that greed can lead to isolation, suffering, and the loss of what truly matters in life. Midas's desire for wealth and power ultimately leaves him unable to enjoy the basic necessities of life or the love of his daughter, teaching him the importance of valuing happiness over material gain.
- King Midas wished to turn everything he touched into gold.
- His wish came true, but he soon realized the folly of his choice.
- His daughter turned to gold, causing him great distress.
- He sought Dionysus's help to reverse the curse.
- He learned to appreciate his wealth and became a generous king.
Shownotes Transcript
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It shows us what happens when true happiness is not recognised. This is the famous story of King Midas. We start the story with Dionysus, the god of wine, someone who likes to let himself go a bit. One day, he and his friends are at the foot of Mount Timulus, enjoying themselves. Suddenly, they realise that Silenus isn't with them.
Silenus is a strange type of creature, half man, half goat, and he's a special friend of Dionysus as he was once his tutor. The friends look for him, but it's touch and go as to whether they will ever find him. Earlier that day, Silenus had fallen off his donkey because he'd had a touch too much to drink, and now he's laying asleep by the side of the road, snoring.
He's woken when a king, King Midas, and his soldiers come riding by. Midas has a special longing to see Dionysus, and Silenus agrees to take him to see the god in exchange for the loan of a horse. So now Dionysus is touched that Midas has brought Silenus safely home. As a reward, he offers Midas a wish. He may have whatever he desires.
Midas thinks about it, and then he asks for the power to make everything he touches turn to gold. His wish is granted. King Midas is back in his palace and is initially delighted by his special gift. Everything he touches really does turn to gold. But he soon realises the foolishness of his choice.
Even the food he wants to eat turns to gold. He becomes hungry and thirsty. His daughter, seeing how upset he is, throws her arms around him. It's a nice touch, but guess what? Even she turns to gold too. So Midas gets in touch with Dionysus and begs him to come to his rescue.
Dionysus feels sorry for him and tells him to go to the river Pactolus and wash his hands. So Midas runs to the river and is amazed to see gold flowing from his hands. When he returns home, everything Midas has touched has become normal again. Midas hugs his daughter with happiness and decides to share his great wealth with the people.
From now on, Midas becomes a better person, generous and grateful for everything in his life. His people lead prosperous lives and when he dies, they all mourn for their beloved king. Well, there's a lesson to learn there. Be careful what you wish for. But if you're wishing for another story, then your wish will come true if you join me again soon at bbclearningenglish.com.
Bye for now. Yoga is more than just exercise. It's the spiritual practice that millions swear by.
And in 2017, Miranda, a university tutor from London, joins a yoga school that promises profound transformation. It felt a really safe and welcoming space. After the yoga classes, I felt amazing. But soon, that calm, welcoming atmosphere leads to something far darker, a journey that leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation across international borders.
I don't have my passport, I don't have my phone, I don't have my bank cards, I have nothing. The passport being taken, the being in a house and not feeling like they can leave...
You just get sucked in so gradually.
And it's done so skillfully that you don't realize. And it's like this, the secret that's there. I wanted to believe that, you know, that whatever they were doing, even if it seemed gross to me,
was for some spiritual reason that I couldn't yet understand. Revealing the hidden secrets of a global yoga network. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this and to put my reputation and everything else on the line. I want truth and justice.
And for other people to not be hurt, for things to be different in the future. To bring it into the light and almost alchemise some of that evil stuff that went on and take back the power. World of Secrets, Season 6, The Bad Guru. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.