Once upon a time, in a grand kingdom, there lived a king who loved gold more than anything. One day, a magical being offered to grant him one wish. Without hesitation, the king wished, “I want everything I touch to turn to gold!”

At first, the king was overjoyed. His chair, table, and even his crown turned into sparkling gold. But soon, trouble came. When he tried to eat, his food turned to solid gold. When his daughter ran to hug him, she too turned into a golden statue.

The king was heartbroken and begged for his wish to be undone. He realized that his greed had taken away what truly mattered.

Moral:

Greed can lead to unhappiness.

Additional Lessons:

Greed: The king’s desire for wealth and his wish for everything to turn to gold directly reflect greed and its consequences.
Happiness: The king’s realization that true happiness lies in things that money cannot buy, such as love and family.

Parenting Tip: This story provides an opportunity to talk with your child about the importance of valuing relationships, experiences, and non-material things over possessions. Encourage discussions about gratitude and what makes them truly happy, like spending time with loved ones or pursuing hobbies they enjoy.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

If you had a magical wish, what would you wish for, and why?
Why do you think the king wanted everything he touched to turn to gold?
How do you think the king felt when his food and his daughter turned to gold?
What could the king have wished for instead that wouldn’t cause problems?
What is more important to you—having a lot of things or spending time with people you care about?
Can you think of something in your life that you value more than money or toys?
How would you undo the king’s wish if you were the magical being?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Gold and Magic

Gold has been treasured for thousands of years and was first used as money around 700 B.C. in ancient Lydia!
Did you know that gold is so soft it can be molded with bare hands? But don’t worry—it’s still very strong when mixed with other metals!
The idea of turning objects into gold, called “alchemy,” fascinated scientists and philosophers in the Middle Ages, though no one ever succeeded.
Gold is one of the heaviest metals—if you had a cube of gold just one foot wide, it would weigh about as much as a small car!
Some myths say the gods often granted wishes, but they came with a lesson, just like the king’s story. These myths are common in Greek, Roman, and even Indian cultures.
There’s enough gold in the Earth’s core to cover the entire planet’s surface in a layer of gold 1.5 feet thick—but it’s far too deep to mine!

Activity Idea: “Wish Craft”
Ask your child to imagine they’ve been granted one magical wish. Have them:

Write or draw what their wish would be and why.
Think about how their wish might affect others—positively or negatively.
Share what they would do to ensure their wish doesn’t create problems like the king’s did.

This activity encourages critical thinking about decision-making and the impact of choices on others.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!

Stories About Happiness

The King and His Golden Touch