Greed and Its Consequences: A Comparison of King Midas and The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish

1.

Greed and Its
Consequences:
A Comparison of King
Midas and The Tale of the
Fisherman and the Fish
RAKHMATILLO KHOLMIRZAEV

2.

• Both stories explore the
consequences of greed.
King Midas and the Golden Touch (G.
Rodari)
King Midas is granted a wish to turn everything
he touches into gold. At first, he is happy, but
soon he cannot eat or touch his loved ones
without turning them into gold. He realizes his
mistake and begs for help. The Monk tell him
to wash in a river, and he learns that greed
brings sadness.
The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish
(A.S. Pushkin)
A poor fisherman catches a magical golden
fish that offers to grant wishes. His wife keeps
asking for more, from a better house to ruling
the sea. When she asks to be the ruler of the
ocean, the fish takes everything away. The
fisherman and his wife are left with nothing,
learning that greed leads to loss.

3.

• Summary of King
Midas
• King Midas is granted a wish by Monk to
turn everything he touches into gold.
• At first, he is thrilled by his newfound
power and accumulates great wealth.
• However, he soon realizes that he cannot
eat, drink, or even touch his loved ones
without turning them into lifeless gold.
• Desperate, he begs for mercy, and the
Monk instruct him to wash in a river to
remove the curse, teaching him the
dangers of greed.

4.

• Summary of The Tale
of the Fisherman and
the Fish
• A poor fisherman catches a magical
golden fish that offers to grant his wishes
in exchange for freedom.
• He is pressured by his greedy wife to keep
demanding more luxury rewards.
• Her desires escalate from wealth to
nobility and finally to ruling the sea itself.
• In response, the fish revokes all the
wishes, leaving the fisherman and his wife
as poor as before, teaching them a harsh
lesson about greed.

5.

Similar Themes
Greed and Its
Consequences:
Both protagonists (Midas
and the fisherman’s wife)
lose everything due to
their excessive desires.
Moral Lessons:
Happiness is not found
in material wealth or
power.
Supernatural
Elements:
Midas has a divine power
granted by Monk, while the
fisherman’s wife’s wishes
come from the magical
fish.

6.

Key Differences
Origin:
Greek mythology
vs. Russian folklore.
Who Learns the
Lesson:
Midas realizes his
mistake and repents,
while the fisherman’s
wife does not, leading to
her downfall.
Outcome:
Midas is forgiven and
restored, while the
fisherman and his wife
return to their original poor
state.

7.

Conclusion
Both King Midas and The Tale of the Fisherman and
the Fish teach that greed leads to loss and suffering.
Midas learns from his mistake and is forgiven, while
the fisherman’s wife loses everything because she
never stops wanting more. These stories remind us
that true happiness comes from contentment, not
wealth or power.

8.

Questions
1. Which stories are analyzed in the presentation?
2. What is the central theme of these stories?
3. What consequence does in King Midas face due his greed?
4. Explain the differences between these two stories.

9.

Thank you!