King Midas wanted to be the richest king in the world, and one day, he had the chance to make it happen. His servants had captur
ed a satyr, a half-man and half-goat creature. The satyr happened to be good friends with a very powerful god named Dionysus. (2) Midas thought that Dionysus just might give him a reward for finding the satyr, so he asked the satyr to stay at the palace where he would be treated as a guest. The satyr was given a nice room with fine linens and any food he desired. The satyr was quite happy about all this. (3) Soon, Dionysus arrived at the palace, as he had been searching for the satyr. Midas took Dionysus to see the satyr, who told the god about all the rich foods and fine things the king had given him. Dionysus was grateful to Midas for treating his friend so well, and he offered to grant Midas one wish. (4) "I wish that everything I touch would turn to gold!" Midas exclaimed without thinking. He couldn't believe his luck! Now he would definitely become the world's richest king. Dionysus asked if he was sure, and because Midas said he was sure, Dionysus granted the wish. (5) For the next few hours, Midas was in heaven. He touched flowers, and they became gold. He touched his bed, and it became gold. He touched his castle, and it became gold. Then, because he was thirsty, Midas tried to drink some water, but it dried as it touched his lips and also became gold. He tried to eat an orange, but it too turned into the precious metal. Finally, his daughter ran to give him a hug, and she too became gold! Midas realized that his wish had become a curse. (6) Midas begged Dionysus to take back his wish. Dionysus saw how sorry Midas was and took pity on him. He sent Midas to bathe in the River Pactolus. The waters cleansed him and released him from the golden touch. Midas realized then that riches are not the most important things in the world. 4 The sixth paragraph is mostly about A. Midas begging Dionysus to help him. B. Dionysus seeing how sorry Midas is. C. Dionysus releasing Midas from his wish. D. Midas traveling to the river Pactolus.
