A great fear crept into the king's heart, sweeping all the joy out of
his life.
In his grief he called and called upon the fairy who had given him the
gift of the golden touch.
"O fairy," he begged, "take away this horrible golden gift! Take all my
lands. Take all my gold. Take everything, only give me back my little
daughter."
[Illustration]
In a moment the beautiful fairy was standing before him.
"Do you still think that gold is the greatest thing in the world?" asked
the fairy.
"No! no!" cried the king. "I hate the very sight of the yellow stuff."
"Are you sure that you no longer wish the golden touch?" asked the
fairy.
"I have learned my lesson," said the king. "I no longer think gold the
greatest thing in the world."
"Very well," said the fairy, "take this pitcher to the spring in the
garden and fill it with water. Then sprinkle those things which you have
touched and turned to gold."
The king took the pitcher and rushed to the spring. Running back, he
first sprinkled the head of his dear little girl. Instantly she became
his own darling Marigold again, and gave him a kiss.
The king sprinkled the golden food, and to his great joy it turned back
to real bread and real butter.
Then he and his little daughter sat down to breakfast.
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