Read the myth King Midas and the Golden Touch. In ancient Greece, Midas, king of Phrygia, ruled a very wealthy land. One day, some farmhands brought a captured creature to King Midas. They wanted to know what to do with the creature. King Midas recognized the creature as Silenus, the tutor of Dionysus, god of merrymaking. King Midas ordered the farmhands to set Silenus free. For ten days and nights, King Midas took care of Silenus. Then, King Midas took Silenus back to Dionysus.

Silenus and Dionysus were both very grateful to see one another again. Since King Midas was kind to Silenus, Dionysus offered to give Midas anything he wished. Unfortunately, King Midas made a foolish and greedy decision. He thought of the wealth that his land had and realized that he could have more. He asked Dionysus to give him the ability to touch anything and turn it into gold. Dionysus knew that this gift would bring trouble and heartache.

"Are you sure that is what you wish?" asked Dionysus skeptically.

"I am sure," affirmed King Midas.

Dionysus waved his staff, which had a pinecone on top, and disappeared. King Midas was anxious to experiment with his new ability. On the way back to the palace, Midas touched a twig, and it turned into delicate, pure gold! Midas was ecstatic. He also turned a stone, an apple, and a door into gold. When the king reached the river, he washed his hands to see if his ability would disappear. Instead, the drops of water turned to delicate gold droplets.

King Midas reached his home and immediately ordered a banquet. He feasted with his friends to celebrate the never-ending riches of his kingdom. Regrettably, the king discovered that his golden touch turned food and drink into solid gold. What could the king do? He needed to eat and drink in order to live. Just then, his beautiful daughter came dancing into the banquet hall, celebrating her father's good fortune. When she knelt down before her father, King Midas embraced her. The princess's beating heart stilled, and her warm body turned cold. King Midas shrank away in horror. His daughter was now a gold statue!

King Midas wept golden tears of bitterness and regret. His own foolishness and greed had destroyed his daughter's life and his own. He begged to Dionysus for forgiveness and aid. Dionysus was merciful. He told King Midas to go the source of the Pactolus River and bathe in the water. The water would take away Midas's golden ability and return anything he had touched back to its original form. King Midas quickly set out for the Pactolus River and traveled to its source. He bathed in the river and filled a pitcher with its water. King Midas poured the water over the head of his daughter, and her heart began to beat again. Midas embraced his daughter, grateful that his most precious treasure was alive once again. Since that day, the Pactolus River has contained the gold of King Midas.

Read the myth Cassandra's Wish.

In the ancient city of Troy, there lived a beautiful princess, who was much beloved by Queen Hecuba and King Prima, the last king of Troy. Her name was Cassandra. She was virtuous, loved her city very much, and had a lot of respect for the Greek gods and goddesses.

One day, Apollo, the god of prophecy, noticed Cassandra's extraordinary beauty. He approached the young maiden and offered her a deal. She could have anything she wished in exchange for a kiss. Cassandra was flattered by Apollo's attention and delighted at the possibility of a wish. She immediately agreed to the deal. Her wish was to be able to see the future. Since Apollo was the god of prophecy, he was able to make Cassandra a prophetess. Cassandra was thrilled!

Suddenly, Cassandra had a horrible vision of Troy being destroyed. She was devastated and furious at the revelation that her beloved home would be ruined. What kind of gift had Apollo given her? Apollo demanded that Cassandra kiss him, for she had made a bargain with him. In her fury, Cassandra refused. Apollo was outraged and decided to punish this mortal. Cassandra would still be able to see the future, but no one would believe her predictions. From that day on, the citizens of Troy believed that Cassandra was slightly crazy and didn't believe her prophesies, even though they always came true. Cassandra lived a lonely life, waiting for her city to be destroyed and longing for the days before she had made her foolish wish.

Both passages are about characters who regret what they wished for. How do the authors use different events in each passage to illustrate how the main characters feel?

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