“What is the matter, father?”
“Nothing, child, nothing,” said the king.
He thought he would try one of the fish. As soon as he touched it, it became hard and bright. Then he broke one of the cakes. It became yellow and heavy.
“I don’t quite see how I am to get any breakfast,” thought the king.
He looked at Marygold. She was quietly eating her bread and milk. How he longed to have just one bite! What good would all this gold do him, if he could not eat anything?
The potatoes looked so tempting that he thought he would try again.
“Perhaps I can swallow so quickly, that a potato will not have time to turn to gold,” thought he.
Poor foolish Midas! He popped one into his mouth, but it changed as soon as he touched it. The hot gold burned him so that he jumped up and cried out with pain.
“Why, what is the matter, dear father?” cried Marygold. “Have you burned yourself?”
“Oh, my child,” said the king, “I don’t know what is to become of your poor father!”