Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Your Story Parade (02) – “The Touch of Gold”
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode of Your Story Parade, part of the Texas School of the Air’s classic children’s series, presents a dramatic retelling of the timeless myth “King Midas and the Touch of Gold.” Geared toward young listeners, the episode emphasizes themes of greed, the true value of love, and the consequences of rash wishes. Through lively performances and gentle narration, children and adults alike are guided through the cautionary tale, rich with imaginative soundscapes and moral reflection.

Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

Cheerful Introduction and Invitation to Imagination

• [00:05] The episode opens with lively music and a parade of beloved storybook characters, inviting children to gather and listen.
  • Memorable quote: "Oh, play the pipe. Oh, beat the drum… Here comes the lion and there is Andy. Winnie the Pooh and Jack. A dandy…" – (B, 00:11)

Setting the Stage: King Midas’ World

• [01:21] The story introduces King Midas, an immensely rich but greedy king, and his beloved daughter.
  • The audience is quickly reminded that while Midas cares for his daughter, his love for gold is far greater.
  • "[King Midas] was fonder of gold than of anything else." – (D, 01:27)

The Wish for the Golden Touch

• [02:11] Midas’ daughter brings him yellow flowers, and he laments that they aren’t true gold.
• [02:33] Midas wishes out loud for everything he touches to turn to gold—a yearning that will come to haunt him.
  • Notable exchange:
    • Midas: "I wish that everything I touch... would turn to gold when I touch it." – (C, 02:33)
    • Narrator: "Poor man. He didn’t know that his wish would soon come true." – (D, 02:57)

The Magical Visitor

• [04:19] While counting his gold, Midas is visited by a mysterious, magical stranger.
• The stranger offers the king the “touch of gold,” warning him through pointed questions about whether it will truly bring happiness.
  • "Are you sure it will make you happy?" – Stranger (E, 05:00)

Midas Awakens: The Wish Fulfilled

• [05:23] Morning arrives, and once the sun shines, everything King Midas touches turns to gold.
  • He is overjoyed, turning his bedcovers, clothes, furniture, and even the roses in the garden to gold.
  • Quote: "My shoes and my clothes. Gold. I have the touch of gold." – (C, 06:34)

Consequences Unfold

• [07:25] Midas’ daughter is heartbroken as the beautiful living roses have become lifeless gold.
• At breakfast, King Midas discovers that even his food and drink become gold at his touch, preventing him from eating or drinking.
  • "How shall I ever drink a golden lump of coffee?" – (C, 08:05)
  • "If all my food shall turn to gold, well, I surely shall starve." – (C, 08:36)

Tragedy: The Golden Daughter

• [08:56] The greatest consequence arises when his daughter, running to him, is turned into a golden statue.
• Midas, wracked with regret, begs for everything to be undone:
  • "What have I done? What have I done, done to my little daughter?" – (C, 09:14)

The Stranger’s Lesson and Redemption

• [09:38] The magical stranger reappears to prompt Midas to choose: the golden touch or life’s true blessings.
• Through a series of questions, Midas realizes he values water, bread, and most of all his daughter over gold.
  • "Oh, my child, my child. One little hair of her head is worth more to me than all the gold in the world." – (C, 10:21)

Undoing the Curse

• [10:41] The stranger instructs Midas to bathe in the river and sprinkle its water on what he wishes to restore.
• Midas leaps into the river and uses the water to bring his daughter and the flowers back to life, learning the value of love and life over wealth.
• Conclusion: "There was a soft shine of golden light in the soft curls of the little girl's hair." – (D, 12:17)
  • Final lesson:
    • “To tell you the truth, I hate the sight of everything gold for a little child, boy or girl, is dearer than all the gold in the world.” – (C, 12:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Desire and Regret:
  • "Would that I had the magic touch, A touch of gold in my fingertips." – King Midas (C, 04:49)
• On Realization:
  • "Gold is not everything that's good. I have lost what I love most dearly." – King Midas (C, 09:53)
• On Redemption:
  • "One little hair of her head is worth more to me than all the gold in the world." – King Midas (C, 10:21)
• On the True Value of Life:
  • "A little child, boy or girl, is dearer than all the gold in the world." – King Midas (C, 12:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:05] – Opening parade theme song and welcome
• [01:21] – Intro to the story of King Midas
• [02:33] – Midas wishes for the golden touch
• [04:19] – The mysterious stranger appears
• [05:44] – Midas wakes up, discovers his power
• [07:25] – Daughter laments the golden roses
• [08:36] – Food turns to gold, Midas despairs
• [08:56] – Daughter becomes a golden statue
• [09:38] – The stranger offers Midas a choice
• [10:41] – Instructions to reverse the wish
• [11:21] – Restoration, happy ending

Tone & Style

The episode uses a warm, inviting, and slightly whimsical tone—classic for mid-century children’s radio. The story mixes gentle humor with dramatic tension, always focusing on clear moral lessons and empathy. The cast (mostly “A,” “C,” “D,” “E”) performs with child-friendly exaggeration and clarity perfect for a family or classroom audience.

Summary Conclusion

This episode of Your Story Parade delivers a vibrant, heartfelt rendition of the King Midas myth. It uses rich narration, lively dialogue, and memorable quotes to explore the dangers of greed and the enduring value of love and simple joys. Children and adults alike are left with a gentle but powerful reminder: some treasures can never be measured in gold.