Greatest King

King Midas was an admirable king. He treated the people of his land with affection and kindness. He would graciously arrange feasts and parties at his castle, which was elegant and awe-inspiring with its vast gardens and grand ceilings. The people of his kingdom were comfortable since their king was so kind, but although his realm prospered under his rule, the king wasn’t happy. One day, the king sauntered through his castle’s vineyards, moaning about his woe, when he came upon a dirty, hungry boy. The boy looked up from the grapes he was plundering, a terror-stricken stare in his hungry eyes. But the loving king only smiled and led him inside to give him all the grapes he could bear to eat. This boy, when he finished, thanked the king. Then, to Midas’s surprise, he transformed into Bacchus, a god. He offered Midas his choice of reward, and Midas, remembering his unhappiness, said “My people are happy with my feasts and parties, but I am not. The gifts I give are not as fantastic as other kings’. I need more fabulous gold and immense fortunes to shower upon my people. Only then will I be remembered as the greatest king who ever lived! I wish for a golden touch.”

And it was so, although Bacchus was a bit disappointed in his choice of wish. Midas, who was tremendously overjoyed with his new prowess, bolted through his home, turning everything into gold. He then called his servants, hastening them to prepare a feast. Midas planned for this feast to be the greatest banquet ever held by any king. The next day, when the king sat down with all his people, he was so pleased by the sparkling splendor that was his dining hall that he didn’t notice that the bread he was putting in his mouth had turned to gold. When he bit down, his teeth rattled harshly, and he cried out in surprise. He began to frantically try to eat the expensive foods he had bought with his gold, but alas, he realized the worthlessness of trying. Sadly, he excused himself from the tables and locked himself in his room, where he began to weep. What was the point in the greatest feast if the greatest king could not eat of it? He would surely starve, and all his riches would go to waste.

All of a sudden, Bacchus emerged from nothing, and laid his hand on the crying king’s head. “Go,” he said, “to the river Padolus. Trace the stream to the fountain head. Plunge your head and body in and wash away your fault and its punishment.”

The king listened intently and then threw off his gold bangles and gold necklaces. He rushed to the river, where it wound glimmering through a valley. He did as Bacchus had instructed, and was freed from his powers as the sand of the river changed into gold. Midas’s returned to his city while wiping the water from his face, silently promising he would never be greedy again. His people loved him for him, not his gold and that made him the greatest king who ever lived.

#Padolus #Bacchus #KingMidas