The myth of King Midas and his golden touch

King Midas had a thing for gold. He loved it so much, one day, Dionysus, the god of wine, offered him a wish.

Overjoyed, Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. It started off great, his palace transformed into a golden wonderland.

But things got real when his food turned into inedible metal chunks. Worse, when his daughter hugged him, she became a gold statue.

In horror, Midas begged to be free of the curse. Dionysus told him to wash in the River Pactolus, reversing the golden touch.

All seemed well until Midas made another blunder. He insulted Apollo by favoring Pan's music, and Apollo gave him donkey ears as a sharp retort.

To hide his shame, only Midas's barber knew. But the secret was too big; the barber whispered it to the earth.

Reeds grew, and whenever the wind blew, they'd sing, "Midas has ass's ears." And while other leaders got temples, Midas was remembered by the shimmering river and the whispering wind.

A cautionary tale? Absolutely. Remember Midas when you're wishing for more, more, more. 💫