Trivia Question 1: Though the touch of gold was removed, Midas was forever cursed by Athena to have the ears of which animal?

Though the touch of gold was removed, Midas was forever cursed by Athena to have the ears of which animal?

According to Greek mythology, Midas, the legendary king of Phrygia, was granted a wish by the god Dionysus. Midas, known for his insatiable love for wealth and luxury, wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. This wish was granted, and initially, Midas was ecstatic with his newfound power.

However, Midas soon realized the consequences of his desire when he couldn't eat, drink, or even touch his loved ones without turning them into lifeless gold statues. Overwhelmed with grief and isolation, he sought help from the goddess Athena.

Athena, being the goddess of wisdom and strategy, decided to teach Midas a lesson. She told him to bathe in the river Pactolus to cleanse himself of the golden touch. Midas followed her instructions and was relieved to find that the touch of gold had been removed from him.

But Athena wanted to ensure that Midas would never forget the consequences of his greed. As a final punishment, she transformed his ears into the ears of a donkey. Midas became the laughingstock of his kingdom, forced to wear a large turban to hide his donkey-like ears from the world.

The curse of the donkey ears served as a constant reminder for Midas to be humble and not let his desire for wealth cloud his judgment. It also became a symbol of his transformation from a greedy king to a wiser and more compassionate ruler.

So, to answer the question, Midas was cursed by Athena to have the ears of a donkey. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive greed and the importance of humility and wisdom.