King Midas was a wealthy king. but he always hankered after wealth, mostly after gold. He desired to accumulate all the gold of the world. One day he was loitering in his garden. When God Mercury appeared before him and asked, "What do you want, my son?" The king said, "My Lord, please give such a boon, so that I may get as much gold as I wish." The God granted his prayer, "what you touch will become gold."