This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 40; the fortieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is “MAKE A WISH“
Setting: Ancient Greece
Person: King Midas
King Midas was a just king albeit not too wise. He had a reputation for being somebody who spoke before he clearly understood the full import of his words. That being said, he was a nice person overall.
One day Dionysius, a Greek god found his foster father, the old satyr Silenius missing. The old satyr, had been drinking away merrily and found his way to Midas’ garden where he passed out due to effects of his wine. Midas recognized him, treated him favorably and sent him on his way when he had recovered enough.
Pleased by the hospitable treatment of Silenius, Dionysius asked Midas to ‘make a wish’ which would instantly be granted. Midas, due to his force of habit of speaking without thinking wished for the first thing that popped to his mind – “whatever I touch should turn to gold”.
When the wish was granted, Midas tested it on an oak twig and a stone, both of which turned to gold. Overjoyed with his new gift, Midas ordered for a grand feast, only to realize that he couldn’t eat or drink at the same, due to the fact that whatever he touched turned to gold. Overcome with grief, Midas grew thin and weak, realizing the bane of his foolish wish that had made his life a hell
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Setting: Ancient India
Person: Bhasmasura
Bhasmasura was a powerful and strong demon, however, intelligence was not one of his strong fortes. After performing severe penance with a view of obtaining Lord Shiva’s blessings, he was granted with a darshan of Lord Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva asked Bhasmasura to ‘make a wish’. Bhasmasura replied “Lord, please grant me the wish that whichever person, place or thing that I touch with my right hand should turn to ashes.”
Upon being granted the wish, the demon drunk with his newfound power wanted to test this wish on Shiva himself. When Shiva started running away from him, he chased him high and low. Wherever Shiva went, Bhasmasura followed him threatening to touch him with his right hand.
On hearing Shiva’s predicament, Vishnu took the form of Mohini with whom Bhasmasura immediately fell in love with. Mohini agreed to marry him under the one condition that she match his dance moves step by step. As he matched her every move step for step, he let down his guard and suddenly Mohini stuck a pose with her right hand on her head. And as the visibly besotted Bhasmasura matched this move of hers, he was immediately reduced to ashes.
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Setting: Ancient India, in the epic Mahabharatha
Person: Draupadi
Draupadi prays with devotion to Lord Shiva, who pleased with her faith and devotion asks her to ‘make a wish’. She wishes for a husband who was noble, strong, skilled with the bow, handsome and wise.
Years later, Arjuna wins her hand by displaying his prowess with the bow at her Swayamvara. Arjuna then takes her home to his mother Kunti, who was busy with her housework. He says “Look mother, what I have brought home today”. Kunti without looking at him replies “Whatever it is, please share it equally with all your brothers”.
The Pandava brothers couldn’t refute their mother’s wish and thus Draupadi ended up with five husbands, each one of them epitomizing one of the ideal qualities that she had wished for in her husband. Her wish had come true.
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Moral of each of the incidents above:
Be extremely careful what you wish for when somebody asks you to ‘make a wish’. Your wish just might come true.
Image courtesy: stuffpoint.com
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The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Participation Count: XX
