Midas was a king who loved gold above all else. Watching Apollo scatter golden rays of sunshine at sunrise provoked Midas to complain that the god was wasting gold that only kings should have. Hearing his complaints, Apollo appeared to Midas in a dream and granted him his wish to have everything he touched turn to gold. When he woke up, Midas discovered that his wish had indeed come true.

At first, he was delighted when the roses in his garden and the bee that tried to sting him turned to gold. He became slightly concerned when he touched his daughter and turned her into gold but did not truly despair until he tried to eat and found that he could not. Since everything that touched him turned to gold, Midas could neither drink nor eat, no matter how thirsty and hungry he became.

Enraged, Midas went into his garden and called Apollo, who asked the king if he repented for his greed. Midas declared that he would never again wish for gold or accuse the gods. Apollo revoked his gift but left Midas with donkey ears so that he would always remember not to waste the most valuable gift: his life.