human
Well, friend Midas, said the stranger,
gpt
I am very miserable,
human
Very miserable, indeed! exclaimed the stranger.
gpt
And how happens that? Have I not faithfully kept my promise with you? Have you not everything that your heart desired?
human
Gold is not everything, answered Midas,
gpt
Ah! so you have made a discovery since yesterday? observed the stranger.
human
Let us see, then. Which of these two things do you think is, really worth the most--the gift of the Golden Touch, or one cup of clear, cold water?
gpt
Oh, blessed water! exclaimed Midas.
human
It will never moisten my parched throat again.
gpt
The Golden Touch, continued the stranger,
human
A piece of bread, answered Midas,
gpt
The Golden Touch, asked the stranger,
human
Oh, my child, my dear child! cried poor Midas, wringing his hands.
gpt
I would not have given that one small dimple in her chin for the power of changing this whole big earth into a solid lump of gold!
human
You are wiser than you were, King Midas, said the stranger, looking seriously at him.
gpt
Your own heart, I perceive, has not been entirely changed from flesh to gold. Were it so, your case would indeed be desperate. But you appear to be still capable of understanding that the commonest things, such as lie within everybody's grasp, are more valuable than the riches which so many mortals sigh and struggle after. Tell me now, do you sincerely desire to rid yourself of this Golden Touch?
human
It is hateful to me!
gpt
Go, then, said the stranger,