The Greek mythology tell's us the story of King Midas who was a king of Phrygia.King Midas was a very wealthy man who valued his wealth above every other thing .He had everything a man could want but the depths of his avarice could not be filled.This was because Midas thought that the greatest joy in life could only come from amassing gold.
One fateful day he found the schoolmaster of the god Dionysus, the old satyr Silenus asleep within his rose garden having lost his way .King Midas welcomed him to his home and gave a great banquet on his behalf lasting as long as ten days and nights.
When this was over he returned Silenus to Dionysus.In gratitude for his goodness Dionysus offered to give him any wish he asked for.King Midas asked for the power of a golden touch . Dionysus asked him if that was what he really wanted as such a gift would come with it's own consequences. Midas still remained adamant on his former choice at which point Dionysus granted him his wish.
A map of the ancient city of Phrygia
So elated Midas returned home with great joy and began to make gold of all that he touched.However he realized his folly when the food he ate and the wine he drank immediately they touched his lip turned to gold.At this point he began to regret his choice.The zenith of it all was when his only child and dearly beloved daughter became a statue of gold at his touch.
Midas highly disappointed returned to Dionysus and pleaded for the removal of his power of touch.Dionysus filled with mercy for Midas at his dilenma forgave his folly and asked him to go to the river Pactolus and wash his hands.Midas obeyed this command and as he washed his hands in the river gold flowed out of his hands till his golden touch was gone .
When Midas returned home his power of golden touch was gone was not only gone but everything he turned to gold had returned to normal .Midas hugged his daughter with great joy and resolved to share his wealth with others.
Portrait of King Midas and his beloved daughter
LESSONS OF THIS MYTH
Several lessons lie within the context of this myth however the most conspicuous and important lesson for me is that of proper arrangement of our values in their right order of priority.
Life present's us with many challenges such as health,rent,taxes,fees which all need money to satisfy and in the midst of all this we forget the primary point from where we draw power to face this challenges"LOVE". It's all because of the love we have for ourselves and our loved ones and our faith in their's and our future that we keep on struggling
So in the midst of all our efforts let us never forget that there is so much that money can never buy , much that could be escaping our notice while we place most of our attention on money.Let us not throw away the union and bonding with our loved ones, the acts of kindness to the needy or the act of chivalry for the downtrodden.Let us not fail to take care of our health and our environment.For it is within this little acts that our lives are truly enriched with gold that does not fade .And with blessings and gifts that bring no sorrow.
Let us not wait like King Midas to lose it all before we realize where truly our priorities lay.