The Golden Touch

Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne

About the Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne was world famous for his great work, ‘The Scarlet Letter’. He was a famous American writer of the nineteenth century. He was born in 1804 and died in 1864. He is well known for his short stories with strong moral lessons. His speciality was to express a strong moral lesson through his works. Hawthorne’s stories usually show the weaknesses of human nature, such as greed, pride, and selfishness. At the same time, they teach us that love, kindness, and simplicity are more important than money or power.

His all the stories are great. One of his most popular moral stories is The Golden Touch, which is based on the old Greek legend of King Midas. Through this story, Hawthorne teaches a powerful lesson about greed and its consequences.

The Golden Touch – Detailed Summary

(In very simple and human language)

King Midas and His Endless Love for Gold

King Midas was a very wealthy king. He had more gold than any other king in the world. His palace was filled with golden objects like tables, chairs, cups, plates, and decorations. Even the smallest things in his palace shone with gold.

However, King Midas was not satisfied. The more gold he had, the more he wanted. He believed that gold was the greatest happiness in life. He often spent hours looking at his treasure and counting his gold coins. Slowly, his love for gold became an obsession. He started valuing gold more than people, emotions, and simple joys of life.

Marygold – The Innocent Daughter

King Midas had a little daughter named Marygold. She was a gentle, innocent, and loving child. Unlike her father, she did not love gold. She loved flowers, sunshine, birds, and nature. She often played in the garden and decorated herself with flowers.

Marygold loved her father deeply and often tried to spend time with him. But King Midas was always busy admiring his gold. Though he loved his daughter, he failed to understand her importance because his heart was blinded by greed.

The Arrival of the Mysterious Visitor

One day, a strange visitor came to King Midas’s palace. He was actually a god in disguise. The god was pleased with King Midas because he had once shown kindness to one of the god’s followers.

The god offered King Midas a reward and said that he could ask for anything he wished. This was a moment of great opportunity. King Midas could have asked for wisdom, happiness, or good health. But his greedy heart thought only of gold.

Without thinking, he wished that everything he touched should turn into gold. The god warned him gently, but King Midas did not listen. Finally, the god granted his wish.

The Joy of the Golden Touch

As soon as the god left, King Midas began to test his new power. He touched a chair, and it turned into shining gold. He touched a flower, and it became a golden rose. Everything he touched changed into gold.

King Midas was filled with joy and pride. He felt he was the richest and happiest man alive. He laughed loudly and praised his own cleverness. At that moment, he could see only gold and happiness, not the danger hidden in his wish.

Hunger and the First Fear

After some time, King Midas felt hungry and sat down to eat. As soon as he touched the bread, it turned into gold. The fruits became gold, and even the water in the cup turned into liquid gold.

Now, King Midas understood the problem. He could not eat or drink. Fear slowly entered his heart. The golden touch, which he thought was a blessing, began to feel like a curse.

The Greatest Loss – Marygold Turns into Gold

Just then, Marygold came running to her father. She saw him sad and frightened and wanted to comfort him. Without thinking, King Midas stretched out his arms and hugged her.

In that very moment, Marygold turned into a golden statue. She became cold and lifeless. King Midas stood shocked and helpless. This was the most painful moment of his life. He realized that his greed had destroyed the one thing he truly loved.

Regret, Tears, and Realization

King Midas cried bitterly. He now hated gold. He understood that gold cannot give happiness, and that love and family are far more valuable. He prayed to the god and begged for forgiveness.

For the first time, King Midas felt true regret. His heart changed completely.

The Cure and the End of the Curse

The god appeared again and felt pity for the suffering king. He told King Midas to go to a river and wash away the golden power. King Midas rushed to the river and washed his hands.

The golden touch disappeared. When he returned home, Marygold was alive again. The curse was broken.

A Changed King and a New Life

King Midas hugged his daughter with care and joy. From that day onwards, he lived a simple and happy life. He no longer loved gold. He learned to value love, nature, and human relationships.

He became a wiser and kinder king.

Moral of the Story

Greed leads to destruction.
True happiness lies in love, not in wealth.