A short story based on King Midas
Way before you were born there was an annoyingly smug princess (because of a great amount of money) who went by the name of Jessica Fox. It was said that her family have more jewels than any other royal human in the world and one room in her Diamond Hotel was filled with her favourite gem-encrusted things: rings, bangles and even frames for pictures. Eventually, the girl grew so fond of diamonds that she loved them more than anything in the world including her own mother, Queen Guinvere Fox. While she was in her diamond room gazing at all of her extravagant diamonds one lazy afternoon, a two-headed flying donkey (which the heads seemed to be in a fiery disagreement with each other) appeared before her. The donkey's eyes shone with a stunning rainbow effect, changing colour every second and on its back was a gold, patterned staff.
“You are the richest human in the world.” complimented the left head.
“No, she's not,” whispered the other head dramatically. “I (for one) thought we had discussed not saying that, otherwise, we'll be disloyal to King Midas!”
“Shh, now,” said the main complementary head. Then a bit louder, “Princess then. You are the richest princess.
“That may be,” smiled the princess, ignoring the whispered conversation before. “As you see, I have this room full of marvellous jewels but I would like much more as (my personal favourite gems) are diamonds - the best things in the universe. If I could have but one wish…” pleaded the princess, “I would ask that everything that I touch shall turn into dazzling diamonds.”
“Your wish shall be granted.” chorused the two heads. The right one carried on though. “But it shall not make you happy.” The princess ignored such a comment.
The next day, Princess Jessica awoke exactly when she planned. As soon as the sun arose, she tried the gift of the diamond touch by lightly tapping her crown which was on her bedside table at the time. Immediately, the coloured metal and glass turned into pure diamonds which were worth much more than that gold scrap that lay before. She smiled politely, not showing that on the inside that she was bursting with happiness. After testing many more items, she stopped for breakfast. When she raised a goblet to her lips, all was turned to diamond (even the water, which mustn’t have tasted nice. Diamond water? I should think not!) The meat became turquoise, sharp and shiny with the slightest touch. Not a thing she could eat. All were diamonds, diamonds, diamonds. Not long later, her mother came in with a knitted jumper for her. Of all her family, she was the kindest to her. Jessica hugged her mother. In an instant, the gentle woman transformed into a diamond sculpture. The little girl stared, transfixed at what a horrible thing she had just done. A great fear seeped into the princess's heart, seeping out all of the joy that was there before.
Because she was mourning over her mother, she called upon the two-headed donkey who had given her the gift (or curse, if that's what you want to call it) of the diamond touch. She pleaded, “Let me be rid of this dreadful gift and take in place of it my mansion; my diamonds and everything else I own only, give me back my beautiful mother!”
“Do you still think that diamonds are the greatest things in the world?” asked the rude head in a bored voice.
“No! Absolutely not!” screeched the princess. “I loathe the very sight of them!”
“Are you sure you no longer wish for the gift of the diamond touch?” The right one huffed once more.
“I have learnt my lesson,” princess Jessica bowed her head. “I no longer think that I desire them most.”
“Very well,” sighed the first head. “Take this emerald mug to the waterfall in the garden and fill it up and sprinkle the water over which you have turned into diamond versions of themselves.”
The princess snatched the emerald mug to the waterfall. Sprinting back as fast as she could, she sprinkled the water over the head of her mother. Instantly she became her own gentle mother again. The princess sprinkled the water over the diamond goblet and to her delight it became real water and gold. Then she and her mother sat down for breakfast. How good the freezing orange juice tasted! How eagerly the princess demolished the bacon and ketchup; the eggs on toast and everything else that was laid out on the table. The princess detested diamonds so much that she sprinkled the water on her alarm clock and bed and everything else that the donkey's gift had turned into diamonds. And Jessica loved the emerald mug more than anything and the story repeated - this time with emeralds.
