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Polish Literature for Children & Young Adults Inspired by Classical AntiquitySrokowski, Stanisław, Ośle uszy króla Midasa [The Donkey’s Ears ofKing Midas]. Okładka i ilustracje [Cover design and illustrations by]Marta Działocha. Wrocław: Izba Wydawnicza „Światowit”, 1992. 24pp.Genre: Short story, adaptation of myth.Summary: The story begins with an elaboratedescription of Dionysus’ entourage —thiasos (Ëfl·ÛÔÚ): one member of the thiasos,the old Silenus, drunk too much wineand fell asleep in the garden near Midas’palace. He was soon discovered by the king’sservants and invited by Midas to dinner.Silenus entertained the king with two tales(about two cities, one full of happiness,the other consumed by evil, and about twotrees, one which gives people joy, and theother causing death). Later the king had taken Silenus back to Dionysus, whowas worried that his friend got lost. Overjoyed at Silenus’ return, the god ofwine promised to grant Midas any wish he expressed: the king asked for theGolden Touch. According to the book, after turning the garden, the palace,and the royal herds into gold, Midas could not think straight. He realized thathis gift was in fact a curse when he tried to embrace his own son, Sangaris,and transformed him into a golden statue. Distraught and desperate, Midasreturned to Dionysus and begged him to take his “gift” away. The god told himto wash his hands and body in the river Pactolos. The river washed away theGolden Touch and all that it had transformed into gold, returned to life.The second, shorter part of the story shows Midas at the mountain Tmolus,where he witnessed an argument between Apollo and Pan. Apollo played thelyre, while Pan — the flute. The king praised Pan’s music above Apollo’s andwas given a pair of donkey’s ears by the god. The king tried to hide them undera headdress, but his barber of course knew the secret. He could not keep it to361