The tragic story of ancient King Midas: Be careful what you wish for...

King Midas was a very rich man who loved gold more than anything else. He had a beautiful palace filled with golden objects, and he spent his days counting his coins and admiring his wealth.

He also had a lovely daughter, who was his only joy in life. One day, he did a kind deed for Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration, who was passing through his kingdom with his followers.

He welcomed one of Dionysus' companions, a satyr named Silenus, who had fallen asleep in his rose garden, and entertained him for several days before returning him to the god. 

Dionysus was very grateful to Midas for his hospitality, and offered to grant him any wish he desired.

Midas did not hesitate to ask for his greatest wish: that everything he touched would turn into gold.

Dionysus warned him to think carefully about his choice, but Midas was confident that this was the best gift he could ever receive.

Dionysus agreed to fulfill his wish, and told him that from the next day on, everything he touched would turn into gold. 

The next morning, Midas woke up eager to test his new power. He touched his bed, his clothes, his furniture, and everything turned into shining gold.

He was overjoyed by his fortune, and ran around his palace touching everything he could find.

He even turned his roses into gold, thinking that they would look more beautiful that way.

He sat down to have breakfast, but as soon as he touched his food and drink, they also turned into gold.

He realized that he could not eat or drink anything without turning it into metal. He started to feel hungry and thirsty, but he had no way to satisfy his needs. 

He was about to panic when he heard his daughter's voice. She came into the room and saw her father surrounded by golden objects.

She was amazed by the sight, and ran to hug him. But as soon as Midas touched her, she also turned into a golden statue.

Midas was horrified by what he had done, and cried out in despair. He realized that he had lost his only source of happiness, and that his wish was actually a curse. 

He begged Dionysus to take away his power and restore his daughter to life. Dionysus heard his plea, and felt sorry for him.

He told him that there was only one way to undo what he had done: he had to wash himself and everything he had touched in the river Pactolus, which flowed near his palace.

Midas did as he was told, and ran to the river with his daughter in his arms. He plunged into the water, and felt his power leaving him.

He saw the gold melting away from his body and from his daughter's body, and watched as she came back to life.

He hugged her with tears of joy and relief. 

He also saw that the river turned golden with the gold that had washed away from him.

He realized that this was the source of the famous gold deposits that made the river Pactolus rich and famous in later times.

He thanked Dionysus for his mercy, and vowed never to be greedy again. He learned to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, such as food, drink, nature, and above all, his daughter's love. 

The story of King Midas and his golden touch is a classic example of how a foolish wish can backfire on us.

It shows us that greed can blind us to what is truly important in life, and that we should be careful what we wish for.

It also reminds us that happiness does not come from material possessions, but from inner peace and contentment.