Final answer:
The theme that "King Midas of the Golden Touch" and "The Problem with Popularity" have in common is the consequences of placing too much importance on material possessions or external validation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme that "King Midas of the Golden Touch" and "The Problem with Popularity" have in common is the consequences of placing too much importance on material possessions or external validation. In both stories, the main characters, King Midas and the narrator of "The Problem with Popularity," experience negative outcomes as a result of their desires for wealth and popularity. In "King Midas of the Golden Touch," the author develops this theme through the retelling of King Midas' story and the consequences he faces after his wish is granted.
In "The Problem with Popularity," the author develops the same theme by portraying the negative effects of the narrator's desire for popularity, such as the loss of true friendship and the realization that popularity doesn't guarantee happiness. Both texts serve as cautionary tales, warning readers about the dangers of prioritizing material possessions or external validation above more meaningful aspects of life.