THE GOLDEN TOUCH

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Introducing the author

Nathaniel Hawthome (July 4, 1804-May 19, 1864) is an American novelist and short story writer. His themes often centre on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works have moral messages and deep psychological complexity.

Unit I

Warm up

Human beings have fascination for gold. Unusual greed for gold invites doesn't it? Hawthorne's story 'The Golden Touch' narrates the misery of a lege co king who suffered for his desire to amass gold. Read the following unit of the and note how King Midas was obsessed with the yellow metal:

The Text

Long ago, there lived a very rich man called Midas. Besides being rich, he

a king, and he had a little daughter called Marygold. King Midas loved gold more than anything else in the world. He liked being

king, chiefly because he loved his golden crown. He loved his daughter dearly to

and the more he loved her, the more gold he wanted for her sake.

When King Midas saw the golden light of the sun at evening, he wished O could turn everything into real gold. When Marygold came to him with a bunch sweet yellow flowers, he would say, 'If they were as golden as they look, they wo be worth picking!' Even the roses in his garden did not please him any more t

hey d

that th

stran

that

to

made of gold And although the kin was very fond of music in his youth, the only sound of gold coins, one against another King Midas could not bear to touch anything that was not gold. He to a secret room under his palace where he kept his precious store, mself in and count His gold pieces. He would hold the bars of gold, gold cups and plates, until he could hardly bear to leave them.

Now those days a great many wonderful things used to happen just as they do today. One morning King Midas was in his treasure-room when he noticed the sun was shining into the room more brightly than usual. Not only that, but a stranger stood there, smiling at him in the light of the sunbeam.

King Midas knew that he had locked himself in as usual, and so he guessed

his water was no ordinary person

The stranger looked at the gold pieces that the king was counting. "You seem be a very rich man he said. But it has taken me a long time to collect this gold, said King Midas. 11.1

could live a thousand years, I might have time to get richer. What Aren't you satisfied? asked the stranger. What else do you want?

Midas thought carefully. This was a wonderful chance, and he felt that the

stranger had magical powers.

7 am tired of collecting my riches so slowly, he said. 1 wish everything gl

touch could be tumed into gald

The Golden Touch!" exclaimed the stranger. "Are you sure you would never

regret it?

How could I regret such a thing?" said Midas. It would give me perfect happiness at last.

Very well, then, the stranger said, as he turned to go. Tomorrow at sunrise

you will find that you have the Golden Touch'.

The light of the sunbeam brightened so vividly that Midas closed his eyes When he opened them again, the stranger had gone.

ng

EPARATION AND PRODUCTI HUBANESWAR

THE

spectacles, and Marygold

went downstairs and into the garden. He noticed that even the

the became gold soon as he turned he among the rose- always been his and in the past he went to breakfast that morning, he felt

waiting for his be ready, little Marygold came in bitterly. father she cried, holding out a golden rose. went pick you some rose

and they and hard, and their sweet scent gone.

Never mind, my dear, said her father. They worth much that. Sit

breakfast. poured himself a coffee back the table. Then he tried a spoonful of coffee, to see if it was

But had become liquid gold. Well he exclaimed. He was thirsty.

is the matter, 'Nothing, child. Drink your milk," eggs that tried eat, the fish, the bread, the butter the food was uneatable for the king, that morning.

"How have any breakfast?' thought. Such costly food before me.

nothing!"

He across the table at Marygold. She was eating happily, her tears

forgotten. looked up, saw that something was wrong, and came round to comfort

"What is wrong, father?' asked.

Midas down and kissed his little daughter. Then what a terrible change came Marygold! sweet little face turned to yellow gold, her lovely hair became golden her little body hardened

26

Invitation to Erg

Think it out

1. When did the king discover that his desire for the golden touch had been fu 2. Why was the king not sad when his spectacies turned into gold?

3. What was Marygold's complaint about the golden rose? 4. How did the king console his daughter?

5 Why couldn't the king enjoy his breakfast? 6. What happened to Marygold when the king kissed her?

THE GOLD

answere

earth

Unit

Warm up

How do you expect the story to end? Does King Midas repent for his desire gold? Read the following unit of the text and note how King Midas got rid of his gore no touch:

The Text

This story would be too sad for us all if we lingered too long on this terrible sigh King Midas could not bear to look at Marygold; yet he could not leave her side. He felt

sad and sorrowful that he wished he was the poorest man in all the world, if only h

beloved daughter could be herself again.

In despair, Midas looked about him. Suddenly he saw the stranger that ha visited him the day before.

"Well Midas', said the stranger. "How do you like having the Golden Touch? 1 have lost everything I really loved, said King Midas. I am full of sorrow and

regret. Gold is of no use to me now. "So you have learnt something since yesterday?" asked the stranger. 'Now which

is worth more-the Golden Touch or a cup of cold water? Oh, blessed water! exclaimed Midas. Will I ever taste it again'.

in

kno

valu

THE

27

Golden Touch or piece of bread? the stranger

your own little daughter?" asked the stranger.

child, my child cried poor would not have given head

stranger looked seriously King

are wiser than were', he said. "Your heart is still blood. You that common things of life, which are within everyone's are

valuable

'No, hateful me now, said Midas, passionately. A settled on kings Then go down to the end of your garden, said the stranger, and wash yourself the river there. Then bring some the same water and sprinkle over

anything that you wish change back again. you this,

set right

bowed head. he looked up again, the stranger vanished.

The king ran once to the river. Without waiting take off his clothes, he dived In coolness the

came out the river. He was free of Golden Touch! He put out his hand and wild rose on the river's and he found with thankfulness that it the same sweet flower. Taking up

expect the servants thought it very strange see their royal master carrying

of gold.

4

Invitation to fin

The king went straight to the golden figure of little Marygold. As he sprin water on her, the rosy colour came back to her cheeks. She began to sneeze and e the water from her golden hair

Oh, father! See how wet I am and my dress was clean this morning she Marygold did not know what had happened to her, and her father did not how wrong and foolish he had been, He took her out into the garden, where they w the flowers together and picked a bunch of aweetly-scented roses.

Think it out

1. How did the king realize that the golden touch was a useless gift for him

2. "You are wiser than you were-why did the stranger say so?

3. What did the stranger advise the king to do to get rid of his golden touch?

4. How did the king get back his daughter?

5. Is the story a tragic or comic one? Give your reasons.

Post-reading activities

A Arrange the following sentences according to their logical order. (a) Midas said. 'I wish everything touch could be turned into gold"

(b) The Golden Touch!' exclaimed the stranger.

(c) Midas said, 'It would give me perfect happiness.

(d) The stranger said, Tomorrow at sunrise you will find that you have the Golden

Touch', (e) King Midas came across a stranger smiling at him.

(1) The stranger asked, "What do you want?

(g) He guessed that the stranger was no ordinary person.