20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

516 Sendenjav Dulamof great riches. Characters and motifs of this tale are same to the widelytalked Mongol and Tibetan tale of Ass-eared King. According to Ovid’s“Metamorphosis” Silenus, one of the followers of the goddess Dionysusand her teacher was wandering in the rocky mountain and was found bypeasants who carried him to the king Midas. Midas recognized him andtreated as a guest for nine days. On the tenth day, Midas brought Silenus toDionysus and he rejoiced very much and promised Midas that whatever heasks would be given. Midas asked for magical ability to change anything hetouches into gold and has been given that. He could change leafs of the oakand apples into gold. When he washed his hands, there were golden drops.However, he realized how terrible was the gift he has got when he startedabundant banquet in his palace. When he touched foods and drinks, theyturned into gold and he then foresaw the real danger of death from starvation.Stretching his hand to heaven, he asked Dionysus “Dionysus, show mercyon me and take back this gift from me”. Dionysus appeared and said to him“Go to the fountainhead of River Pactolus and wash yourself.” Accordingto the tale Midas went to the fountainhead of River Pactolus and washedhimself in the water and the water of the river became golden. (Kun 1989:83) We can not see similar parts in Mongol myths. Nevertheless, we oftenencounter tales similar to the second part of the tale of Midas.According to another Ovid’s tale once goat footed, horned and beardedPan, the god of the fields had the temerity to compare his music with thatof Apollo and to challenge the god of lyre to a trial of skill. The challengewas accepted and Tmolus, the mountain god was chosen as a judge. FirstPan blew on his pipes, and with his rustic melody gave great satisfaction tohimself and his faithful follower Midas, who happened to be present. ThenApollo rose, his brow wreathed with Parnassian laurel, while his robe ofTyrian purple swept the ground. In his left hand, he held the lyre, and withhis right hand struck the strings. Ravished with the harmony, Tmolus atonce awarded the victory to the god of lyre, and all but Midas acquiescedin the judgment. He dissented and questioned the justice of award. Apollowould not suffer such a depraved pair of ears any longer to wear humanform, but caused them to increase in length, grow hairy, within and without,and movable on their roots, in short, to be on the perfect pattern of thoseof an ass.Mortified enough was king Midas at this mishap, but he consoledhimself with the thought that it was possible to hide his misfortune, whichhe attempted to do by means of an ample turban or headdress. (Kun 1989:83) Some versions say that Midas was the judge and he invented Pan’spipe. (Grimal 1985: 296) But his hairdresser of course knew the secret.