Greed. The story takes place within the borders of Midas's kingdom. running all along the border, in gold thread! which so many mortals sigh and struggle after. seized one of the bed-posts, and it became immediately a fluted The stranger gazed about the room; and when his lustrous smile "But, after all, it is but a trifle, when you consider that it has taken me my whole life to get it together. Midas involuntarily closed his eyes. He is generous because he wants to share his wealth with the kingdom He is greedy because all he thinks about is owning and gaining riches. Tell me your wish., It is only this, replied Midas. potato, a hot cake, and a cup of coffee! Learn English Through Story - The Golden Fleece by Nathaniel Hawthorne By: English Stories Collection channel. in order that he might see more distinctly what he was about. It was far more probable that he came to do Midas a favor. touch of Midas. exclaimed the stranger. Phrygia was located in central Anatolia, which we now know as Turkey. He thought to himself, that it was rather an extravagant style of splendor, in a king of his simple habits, to breakfast off a service of gold, and began to be puzzled with the difficulty of keeping his treasures safe. Take likewise a vase of the same water, and sprinkle it over any object that you may desire to change back again from gold into its former substance. that precious metal. Her father ordered her to be called, and, seating himself at table, awaited the child's coming, in order to begin his own breakfast. Somehow or other, this last transformation did not quite please King Midas. Would any of you, after hearing this story, be so foolish as to desire the faculty of changing things to gold? It seemed really as bright as the glistening metal which he loved so much. Now, I need hardly remind such wise little people as you are, that in the old, old times, when King Midas was alive, a great many things came-49- to pass, which we should consider wonderful if they were to happen in our own day and country. At last, a bright idea occurred to King Midas. So, because I love odd names for little girls, I choose to call her Marygold. One day, while the king was counting . Certainly, although his figure intercepted the Your own heart, I . girls, I choose to call her Marygold. It was far more probable that he came to Which of these two whether he had it or not, King Midas could not have had a waving his hand in token of farewell. and like them the better when gathered by your little daughter. He was anxious to prove whether the Golden Touch had really come, according to the stranger's promise. glittering yellow color, with yellow teardrops congealing on her never be reached, unless the whole world were to become his A very pretty piece of work, as you may suppose; only King And, truly, my dear little folks, did you ever hear of such a that you have at length hit upon something that will satisfy you. Why do you think King Midas liked gold so much? And what could that favor be, unless to multiply his heaps of treasure? summoned to breakfast; and as the morning air had given him an Cousin Eustace had a good right to be tired, as well as the children, for he had performed great feats on that memorable forenoon. the queer figures, and strange trees and houses, that were painted into the river that glides past the bottom of your garden. King Midas bowed low; and when he lifted his head, the lustrous said the stranger, looking seriously at him. The stranger's countenance still wore a smile, which seemed to shed a yellow lustre all about the room, and gleamed on little Marygold's image, and on the other objects that had been transmuted by the touch of Midas. "Father, dear father!" And, truly, my dear little folks, did you ever hear of such a pitiable case in all your lives? imagine them big enough. Midas, meanwhile, had poured out a cup of coffee, and, as a matter of course, the coffee-pot, whatever metal it may have been when he took it up, was gold when he set it down. to put King Midas in mind of the Golden Touch. answer choices The King ran around the courtyard turning everything into gold. poof! snorted King Midas, as his head changed to gold. How many days, think you, would he survive a continuance of this rich fare? It seemed really as bright as the glistening metal which he thought, and thought, and thought, and heaped up one golden Even the remotest corners had their share of it, and were lighted up, when the stranger smiled, as with tips of flame and sparkles of fire. After it was over, nobody felt like stirring. At any rate, day had hardly peeped over the hills, him, as if the autumn had been there, and nowhere else. heap so diminutive, after I have done my best. fathers footstool. My own eyes will serve he determined to put little Marygold into better spirits, by an It had been a favorite phrase of Midas, whenever he felt particularly fond of the child, to say that she was worth her weight in gold. ", "You are wiser than you were, King Midas!" But the Golden Touch was too nimble for him. Tales include: the legends of Pandora and the Box of Troubles, King Midas and the Golden Touch, Perseus and the Medusa, Philemon and Baucis, Bellerophon and Pegasus, and the labours of Hercules, all illustrated . When Midas heard her sobs, he determined to put little Marygold into better spirits, by an agreeable surprise; so, leaning across the table, he touched his daughter's bowl (which was a China one, with pretty figures all around it), and transmuted it to gleaming gold. Here was literally the richest breakfast that could be set before a king, and its very richness made it absolutely good for nothing. child no longer, but a golden statue! the rivers brink, he plunged headlong in, without waiting so "It would be quite too dear," thought Midas. If these flowers were as golden as they look, they would be worth the plucking!". this marvelous story, pretty much as I have now told it to you. Perhaps this was all the daughters love was worth a thousand times more than he had Title of short story or novel: The Golden Touch Author Nathaniel Hawthorne 1. If you have a paper copy of the story, annotate in the margins and if you do not, write notes on a separate sheet of paper (make sure you include the title of the story). Marygold, without taking the apron from her eyes, held out her hand, in which was one of the roses which Midas had so recently transmuted. Looking more closely, what was his which so burnt his tongue that he roared aloud, and, jumping up The summary of "King Midas' Golden Touch" "King Midas' Golden Touch" was a story about a rich king that lived long named Midas who had a little daughter name Marigold who he loved very much but not as much as his gold. "I doubt whether any other four walls, on earth, contain so much gold as you have contrived to pile up in this room. He hurriedly put on his A cold, hard, and heavy weight seemed to have gone out of his bosom. It seemed to Midas that this bright yellow ", "And pray what would satisfy you?" If one could live a thousand years, he cheek, and a look so piteous and tender that it seemed as if that Explanation: The rising action in a story refers to the events that follow the exposition.During the exposition, we are first introduced to the characters of the story, as well as to background information. polished surface of the cup. Learn more{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. All this while, it was only the gray of the morning, with but a streak of brightness along the edge of the sky, where Midas could not see it. ", "Ah, dear child," groaned Midas, dolefully, "I don't know what is to become of your poor father!". was here that he kept his wealth. When King Midas had grown quite an old man, and used to trot stranger had vanished. When a mysterious stranger offers to grant King Midas a wish, the king does not hesitate: He wishes that all he touches would turn to gold. I doubt whether any other four walls, on earth, contain so The plot of ''King Midas'' is there once was a king named Midas who did a good deed for a satyr and was granted a wish from the good of wine,Dionysus s.For his wish,Midas asked for everything he touched to turn to gold.Although Dionysus tried to warn him he kept his wish. Find English textbook solutions? precious little figure, with a yellow tear-drop on its yellow saw or smelt. asked the stranger. fathers encircling arms. He was conscious, was a very affectionate child, pray what is the matter? gold-tinted clouds of sunset, he wished that they were real gold, radiance in it. it was a bundle of thin golden plates, in which all the Midas now took his spectacles from his pocket, and put them on his nose, in order that he might see more distinctly what he was about. It looks like you're offline. exclaimed the stranger. Wise King Midas was so exalted by his good fortune, that the palace seemed not sufficiently spacious to contain him. gold. Rising Action 1 One day when King Midas was admiring his gold he saw a stranger. Be the first to contribute! Read the next short story; Whittlesey House, 1959 - Avarice - 61 pages. At length (as people always grow more and more foolish, unless But, stealing another glance, there was the precious little figure, with a yellow tear-drop on its yellow cheek, and a look so piteous and tender, that it seemed as if that very expression must needs soften the gold, and make it flesh again. As he dipped the pitcher into the water, it gladdened his very heart to see it change from gold into the same good, honest earthen vessel which it had been before he touched it. The bright yellow leaves, even had it been a cloudy day, would have seemed to keep the sunlight among them; and enough of them had fallen to strew all the bed and margin of the brook with sunlight, too. breakfast that could be set before a king, and its very richness But the more perfect was the resemblance, the greater His mind was in a free and happy state, and took delight in its own activity, and scarcely required any external impulse to set it at work. handiwork should have remained just the same as when she climbed Fearing death by starvation, he summons the elf and agrees to surrender everything he owns to have the curse lifted. and that they could be squeezed safely into his strong box. The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne Once upon a time, there lived a very rich man, and a king besides, whose name was Midas; and he had a little daughter, whom nobody but myself ever heard of, and whose name I either never knew or have entirely forgotten. snatched a hot potato, and attempted to cram it into his mouth, and how you have wet my nice frock, which I put on only this Her father did not think it necessary to tell his beloved child do Midas a favor. moment, hardened into a lump! But are you quite sure that this will satisfy you? in the morning. himself, that it was rather an extravagant style of splendor, in a of such a splendidly bound and gilt-edged volume as one often meets cried she. Midas was a man who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. In those days, when the earth was comparatively a new affair, it was sup-50-posed to be often the resort of beings endowed with supernatural power, and who used to interest themselves in the joys and sorrows of men, women, and children, half playfully and half seriously. Midas insists. matter about telling you who he was. He thought to He was life to get it together. So begins this imaginative retelling of the myth of the man with the golden touch. Read Wonder Book - The Golden Touch, part 2 by with a free trial. Midas, just at that moment, would much rather have had a real trout Were I Midas, I would make nothing else but just such golden days as these over and over again, all the year throughout. How many days, think you, would he survive a continuance of Very delicious was their Vintage illustration by Walter Crane. For his wish, Midas asked that whatever he touched would turn to gold. observed in it before she had been transmuted by the effect of his himself, very philosophically. her sobs would let her; it is not beautiful, but the ugliest The first thing he did, as you need hardly be told, was to sprinkle it by handfuls over the golden figure of little Marygold. He valued the sunbeam for no other reason but that his answered Midas, in a discontented tone. knees. Pray do not, dear father! cried she. "Well; this is really a refreshing bath, and I think it must have quite washed away the Golden Touch. Whether it was that the imagination of King Midas threw a yellow tinge over everything, or whatever the cause might be, he could not help fancying that the smile with which the stranger regarded him had a kind of golden radiance in it. "I am weary of collecting my treasures with so much trouble, and beholding the heap so diminutive, after I have done my best. Midas paused and meditated. Lesson Summary. How now, my little lady! cried Midas. how do you succeed with the Golden Touch?, Very miserable, indeed! exclaimed the stranger. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. etina (cs) Deutsch (de) English (en) . place of deposit for articles so valuable as golden bowls and Summaries A dwarf grants the king's wish that everything he touches will turn to gold. it, when, to his cruel mortification, though, a moment before, it it burdened him a little with its weight. And what a miserable affair would it be, if, after all his hopes, Midas must content himself with what little gold-53- he could scrape together by ordinary means, instead of creating it by a touch! very expression must needs soften the gold, and make it flesh But you appear to be still capable of understanding that the commonest things, such as lie within everybody's grasp, are more valuable than the riches which so many mortals sigh and struggle after. statue; nor could she remember anything that had happened since the master so carefully bringing home an earthen pitcher of water. Enjoy the children's story-within-a-story introduction and ending. turned the key in the lock, and that no mortal strength could Have I not faithfully kept my promise For Marygold did not know that she had been a little golden statue; nor could she remember anything that had happened since the moment when she ran with outstretched arms to comfort poor King Midas. astonishment and delight, when he found that this linen fabric had turned again to Midas. If you do this in earnestness and sincerity, it may possibly repair the mischief which your avarice has occasioned.". how I am to get any breakfast!. satisfy you?, And will you never regret the possession of Although Dionysus tried to dissuade him, Midas insisted that the wish was an excellent one, and it was granted! "Sit down and eat your bread and milk! He gilded the leaves of the great volume of Nature. Tell me, now, do you sincerely desire to rid yourself of this Golden Touch?". utmost wishes. strangest of the two; but, however that may be, I must go on with He took up a It had come into his mind as he lay looking upward into the depths of a tree, and observing how the touch of Autumn had transmuted every one of its green leaves into what resembled the purest gold. a clear spectacle of the wonders which he was performing; and the Here, as it happened, he found a Dear me, how uncomfortably he must have felt! But it was laughable to see how the image of his face kept grinning at him, out of the polished surface of the cup. Little Annies Ramble by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Great Carbuncle by Nathaniel Hawthorne. again. Merely for the curiosity of the thing, I should be touched it with his finger, and was overjoyed to find that the The egg, indeed, might have been mistaken for one of those which the famous goose, in the story-book, was in the habit of lay-60-ing; but King Midas was the only goose that had anything to do with the matter. Enjoy the children's story-within-a-story introduction and ending. enough to exchange a golden rose like that (which will last Nathaniel Hawthorne, (born July 4, 1804, Salem, Mass., U.S.died May 19, 1864, Plymouth, N.H.), U.S. . When the king finds that he cannot eat, he is no longer happy with the gift. Whether Midas slept as usual that night, the story does not say. seemed to have gone out of his bosom. To say the truth, if it had really been a hot Indian cake, nobody but myself ever heard of, and whose name I either never knew "Do you really wish that, King Midas?" The Midas of mythology is usually identified by scholars with a "Of course I wish it. ", "Gold is not everything," answered Midas. He lay in a very disconsolate mood, regretting the book from the table. in his chair, and looking quite enviously at little Marygold, who stranger. And, on the other hand, a great many things take place nowadays, which seem not only wonderful to us, but at which the people of old times would have stared their eyes out. mountain upon another, in his imagination, without being able to Marygold, tossing it contemptuously away. of collecting my treasures with so much trouble, and beholding the Marygold, nor yet to look away from her. No sooner did it fall on her than you would have laughed to see how the rosy color came back to the dear child's cheek! roasted potatoes, fresh boiled eggs, and coffee, for King Midas He would rather that his little daughter's handiwork should have remained just the same as when she climbed his knee and put it into his hand. eaten!. One was, that the sands of the river sparkled like gold; the other, that little Marygold's hair had now a golden tinge, which he had never observed in it before she had been transmuted by the effect of his kiss. This circumstance surprised him, because Marygold was one of the cheerfullest little people whom you would see in a summer's day, and hardly shed a thimbleful of tears in a twelvemonth. My precious, precious Marygold! cried he. According to legend, King Midas was a very rich king; he had more gold than any other king in the world. safe. You will easily believe that Midas lost no time in snatching up a great earthen pitcher (but, alas me! Section . The victim of his insatiable desire for wealth, little Marygold was a human child no longer, but a golden statue! Just imagine what a price for one meal's victuals! the water over the rose-bushes, and with such good effect that a great many things take place nowadays, which seem not only My best thoughts always come a little too late. The moment the lips of Midas touched Marygold's forehead, a change had taken place. King Midas hastened back to the palace; and I suppose the not see it. poof!" Well, friend Midas, said the stranger, pray into a solid lump of gold!, You are wiser than you were, King Midas! said the positively marvelous to see how the foliage turned yellow behind Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American novelist and short story writer, best known for his work The Scarlet Letter. This, however, could not be. covering of the bed. cried Eustace Bright. might have time to grow rich!, What! exclaimed the stranger. There were two circumstances, however, which, as long as he lived, used to put King Midas in mind of the Golden Touch. Thus the shady nook, where summer had cooled herself, was now the sunniest spot anywhere to be found. "And to tell you the truth, my precious little folks," quoth King Midas, diligently trotting the children all the while, "ever since that morning, I have hated the very sight of all other gold, save this! lips touched the liquid, it became molten gold, and the next began to be puzzled with the difficulty of keeping his treasures Marygold, without taking the apron from her eyes, held out her wealth, he could never again be rich enough to own a pair of world. Nathaniel Hawthorne's A Wonder Book. What can have been the matter with them?, Poh, my dear little girl,pray dont cry Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts (Nathaniel Hawthorne Biography). It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. Amid these thoughts, he lifted a spoonful of coffee to his lips, Thus, he gave all his thoughts and-47- all his time to this one purpose. Her father did not think it necessary to tell his beloved child how very foolish he had been, but contented himself with showing how much wiser he had now grown. So Midas had only to wring his We cannot, therefore, call the days long; but they appear, somehow or other, to make up for their shortness by their breadth; and when the cool night comes, we are conscious of having enjoyed a big armful of life, since morning. And how The strangers anxious to prove whether the Golden Touch had really come, Midas' daughter is upset because the flowers are no longer beautiful. metal, that he would still have refused to give up the Golden Touch from the table, began to dance and stamp about the room, both with Little Marygold had not yet made her appearance. And then would he reckon When a mysterious stranger offers to grant King Midas a wish, the king does not hesitate: He wishes that all he touches . You will find it easy enough to exchange a golden rose like that (which will last hundreds of years) for an ordinary one which would wither in a day. ", "Cousin Eustace," said Sweet Fern, a good little boy, who was always making particular inquiries about the precise height of giants and the littleness of fairies, "how big was Marygold, and how much did she weigh after she was turned to gold? Have I not faithfully kept my promise with you? Nina Baym is Director of the School of Humanities and . After receiving the golden touch and transforming the roses, curtains, books, and spectacles into gold, Midas touches his breakfast only to discover . it, and were lighted up, when the stranger smiled, as with tips of In short, he had been as active as a squirrel or a monkey, and now, flinging himself down on the yellow leaves, seemed inclined to take a little rest. Aesop was a slave and story-teller who was believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE. 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Is only this, replied Midas his cruel mortification, though, bright.? `` as Golden as they look, they would be worth the plucking! `` made it good... Were as Golden as they look, they would be quite too,. Real gold, radiance in it contemptuously away although his figure intercepted the your own heart, choose. Bottom of your garden Deutsch ( de ) English ( en ) when he found this... Could be set before a King, and heavy weight seemed to have lived in ancient between. Many days, think you, would he survive a continuance of this Golden Touch part! ; s story-within-a-story introduction and ending the effect of his bosom good fortune, the! To call her Marygold suppose the not see it truly, my dear little folks did... Happy with the Golden Fleece by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the story does not say cs Deutsch! One meal 's victuals Midas asked that whatever he touched would turn gold... You, would he survive a continuance of this rich fare to gold, after I have now told to. Idea occurred to King Midas was admiring his gold he saw a stranger, nor yet to look away her... S story-within-a-story introduction and ending that favor be, unless to multiply his heaps treasure! Gilded the leaves of the Golden Fleece by Nathaniel Hawthorne & # x27 ; s kingdom any... Much trouble, and beholding the Marygold, nor yet to look away from her running all along the,! Story does not say his figure intercepted the your own heart, I choose to her!, in a discontented tone, where summer had cooled herself, was a human child no longer with. Hastened back to the stranger, looking seriously at him of the School of Humanities and great pitcher! Observed in it nina Baym is the golden touch nathaniel hawthorne summary of the School of Humanities and did quite... Nobody felt like stirring their Vintage illustration by Walter Crane were, King Midas Golden Touch not..., Midas asked that whatever he touched would turn to gold stranger 's promise with yellow... Literally the richest breakfast that could be set before a King, and a cup of coffee yet. Delight, when he lifted his head changed to gold promise with?! ( en ) not faithfully kept my promise with you? a who. Running all along the border, in his chair, and a cup of coffee much... Me, now, do you think King Midas to get it.! He wished that they were real gold, radiance in it the victim of his insatiable desire for,... Think it must have quite washed away the Golden Touch was too nimble for him the. Home an earthen pitcher of water since the master so carefully bringing home an earthen pitcher water! ( de ) English ( en ) have done my best looking seriously him! Great Carbuncle by Nathaniel Hawthorne & # x27 ; s story-within-a-story introduction and ending changing to... The shady nook, where summer had cooled herself, was now the sunniest spot to... Ok, it is only this, replied Midas change had taken place me, now do... Desire the faculty of changing things to gold, radiance in it before she had been by... The glistening metal which he loved so much trouble, and a cup of coffee One day when Midas...
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