Student Activities for King Midas and the Golden Touch
Essential Questions for King Midas’ Golden Touch
- Is King Midas a bad person? Why or why not?
- Do you think people learn from their mistakes? Why or why not?
- How does greed create problems for people?
A Quick Synopsis of King Midas’ Golden Touch
According to legend, King Midas was a very rich king; he had more gold than any other king in the world. King Midas also had a precious daughter named Marigold, but nothing was more precious to him than his shiny, yellow gold, and so he wished for more of it.
One day, while the king was counting his money, a fairy boy appeared before him. The fairy assured Midas that he had more gold than anyone, but still the king wanted more. He claimed that “gold is the best and most wonderful thing in the world.” The fairy offered to grant him one wish. King Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to beautiful, yellow gold. The fairy warned that having this gift would not make him happy, but the king did not see the dangers in it.
The next morning, King Midas eagerly awoke to check if the fairy’s promise had come true. He touched his bed and, sure enough, the bed turned to gold. Then, he touched the chair and the table, and those too turned to gold. The king was delighted with his magic gift.
Later, when the king was hungry, he tried to drink water and eat his bread. As his lips touched the water, it turned to gold, so he could not drink. The bread also turned to gold in his hands, so he could not eat. Marigold ran in from the garden to greet the king and when she embraced him, she immediately turned into a golden statue.
King Midas was filled with dread as he realized what he had done. All of the happiness he felt when he first received his gift was now gone. He called on the fairy and begged him to take away the horrible gift. He pleaded for the fairy to take away everything, as long as he gave back his daughter. The fairy asked the king if he still thought gold was the greatest thing in the world, but the king had learned his lesson. When the fairy was satisfied, he advised the king to go to the spring in the garden, fill a pitcher with water, and sprinkle everything the king had touched. Midas rushed to the spring and quickly sprinkled his daughter’s head with the water. Instantly, she returned to normal, giving her father a kiss. The king sprinkled the food and sat with his daughter to eat – much more appreciative of the good food and company of his daughter.
How Tos about King Midas and the Golden Touch
Discover Easy Ways to Teach Moral Lessons Through Storytelling
Introduce the story’s central theme. Begin your lesson by highlighting the main moral or lesson of the King Midas tale. Briefly discuss how the king’s choices led to important consequences, making the story’s message clear for students.
Connect the story to real-life situations students face
Relate the story’s lesson to students’ experiences. Ask students to share examples of times they wanted something but later realized it wasn’t as important as they thought. Encourage reflection to help them understand how greed or choices can impact their lives.
Guide students to create their own moral story endings
Invite creativity and critical thinking. Challenge students to imagine a different ending for King Midas or write their own short story with a clear moral. Discuss how choices shape outcomes and encourage students to explain the lessons their characters learn.
Facilitate a classroom discussion about values
Encourage open conversation. Lead a discussion where students list values that matter most to them, such as family, friendship, or honesty. Compare these with King Midas’s values to illustrate how personal priorities affect decisions.
Assess understanding with a quick reflective activity
Use exit tickets or journals. Have students write one thing they learned about greed or making choices from King Midas’s story. Use their responses to gauge how well they grasped the lesson and to plan follow-up activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Midas and the Golden Touch
What is the main lesson in King Midas and the Golden Touch?
King Midas and the Golden Touch teaches that greed can have unintended consequences and that love and relationships are more valuable than material wealth.
How can I use the story of King Midas to teach about making good choices in the classroom?
You can use King Midas’ story as a discussion starter about decision-making, consequences, and values. Encourage students to reflect on choices, what matters most, and learning from mistakes.
What are some quick lesson activities for King Midas and the Golden Touch?
Try activities like story mapping, role play, or creating alternative endings. These engage students in comprehension, empathy, and creative thinking with minimal prep.
Why did King Midas regret his wish for the golden touch?
King Midas regretted his wish because it caused him to lose what he truly loved, especially his daughter. He discovered that happiness doesn’t come from wealth but from meaningful connections and simple joys.
What age group is King Midas and the Golden Touch best suited for?
King Midas and the Golden Touch is ideal for K–12 students, especially elementary and middle school grades, due to its clear moral and engaging narrative.
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