Once upon a time there was a king called Midas. He was extremely fond of gold. Although he had a lot of it, he wanted more. "I wish I had the golden touch," he said to himself one day. "Then I'd be the happiest man."

A wise god granted his wish promptly. Half an hour later, as the king was sitting under an apple tree in his garden, suddenly a ripe apple fell beside him. He picked it up. As he touched it, the apple turned to gold. He could hardly believe his eyes. He had not expected his wish to be granted. So he was over¬joyed. Then he touched his chair. He was surprised to see that it turned to gold, too. "Wonderful !" he exclaimed. "I'm the happiest man in the world."

King Midas, amazed at his golden touch, went back quickly to the palace. As he entered it, his little daughter ran up to him and he took her in his arms. Instantly she turned into gold. The king was struck with horror. He put her down at once, thinking that this would make her human again. But there was no change. The king stood staring at his daughter. Then he touched her again. But nothing happened. She continued to be gold. The king cried out in anguish. "I'm terribly sorry," he said, "I made that wish."

Immediately the wise god took the golden touch away and the girl became human again. The king had learnt an important lesson. There are other things more precious than gold.