1 Corinthians 13: 1 & 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

19 March 2010

Story Rewriting: King Midas’ Touch (Greek Myth) (3A Wong Cheuk-lai, Chapmann)

Long ago there lived in the country of Lydia a king who had everything a king could want. His name was Midas; however he was not happy. He longed to be even richer.

One day, while walking in his garden, he saw an elderly man asleep in his famous rose garden. Taking pity on the old fellow, King Midas let him go without punishment. When the god Bacchus, who was a great friend of the old man, heard about that, he asked what Midas wanted as a reward.

‘I will grant you any wish you make,’ said the god to the King…


(Rewriting part)
King Midas was excited to hear that.

‘Although I’ve everything I want, I’m not happy. I will be the happiest man if I become the richest man in the world.’ King Midas thought. So he told God Bacchus, ‘Would you grant me the wish to become the richest man in the world?’

Then God Bacchus replied after a moment of hesitation, wondering why such a rich king would still ask for more. ‘Well… let me see… no problem! I now give you a special magic to turn everything you touch into gold. Then, you’ll become very rich in just a touch!’

After that, King Midas walked into his rose garden. He tried to smell the scent of those beautiful roses. However, the roses all turned into gold once the king touched them. The king was totally astonished by his magic touch.

Then, the king entered his bedroom. He tried to touch everything in his bedroom. He was extremely thrilled to see that all furniture, decorations and his clothes turned into gold in just a second.

‘I will become the richest man in the world for sure! Bravo!’ the king exclaimed.

At that moment, Princess Lily greeted his father. The king was too ecstatic to tell her daughter about his magic power. All in a sudden, Princess Lily turned into a golden statue as he was hugging her lovely daughter.

The king was shocked and grievous. He didn’t know what to do. Things went even worse when the king’s servants were too scared and all fled from the king. The king was left alone in the palace. He was so hungry too because what he tried to eat or drink turned into gold when he touched them.

Two days later, the kings’ relatives, who were not welcomed by the king before, and three friends of the king, who had received financial help from the King many years ago, came to help him. They even fed him with food. The king was greatly moved by their kindness. He now understood the key to happiness is something more than money.

He begged God Bacchus to take back his golden touch power. Everything back to normal, God Bacchus also saved her daughter at last.

Wealth can never bring us happiness, but genuine friendship and true love do.