In spring, tall grasses grew in that spot. When the wind stirred them, the grasses would whisper, "King Midas has donkey's ears!" Soon everyone knew.
Midas, infuriated, decreed that the servant must die. But then, remembering the mercy that Bacchus had shown him, he forgave the man, even as he had been forgiven.
Apollo learned of this and sent for Midas. "You were foolish before, " he said, "but now I see you are wiser. For your wisdom and mercy, I will reward you."
Apollo touched the king's ears, and they returned to human form.
From this old Greek myth we got the expression "the Midas touch." People with the Midas touch have great succes with money. Everything they try seems to make them richer. Buut the Greeks knew that wealth isn't everything, and the Midas touch could be more a curse than a blessing.