20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

Comparison of characters and motives in Mongol and Greek myths 519Conclusion for Greek versionsConclusion for Central Khalkhversions1à. But his hairdresser of courseknew the secret. He was charged notto mention it and threatened withdire punishment if he presumed todisobey.2à. But he found it too much for hisdiscretion to keep such a secret, sohe went out …3à. So he went out into the meadow,dug a hole in the ground, andstooping down, whispered the storyand covered it up.4à. Before long a thick bed of reedssprang up in the meadow, and assoon as it had gained its growth,began whispering the story and hascontinued to do so, from that dayto this, every time a breeze passesover the place5à. Mortified enough was kingMidas at this mishap, but heconsoled himself with the thoughtthat it was possible to hide hismisfortune, which he attempted todo by means of an ample turban orhead dress1à. In order to hide his ass ears theking put to death every hairdresserwhen his hair is cut.2à. The boy was trying too hardnot to reveal the secret and worriedtoo much about to keep it. As aresult, he depressed and physicallycollapsed.3à. The boy took wise man’s adviceand went out to the wilderness, andshouted into the hole in the ground“Our king has ass ears! Our king hasass ears!” until his heart comforted.4à. Then the grass, stream and thewind all began to whisper, “Ourking has ass ears! Our king has assears!”5à. According to the boy’s advice hestarted to wear the hat well fitting tohis ear and ordered other kings towear such hat. It is said that later itbecame crown of the king.When comparing Greek tale of Midas and Mongol and Tibetan tales ofAss-eared King we can see that Midas’s ample turban became a predecessorof Phrygian hat and papal crown then of king’s crown. We can suggestthat Mongolian word titim (crown) is derived from Greek through Sogd