1. Narcissus and Echo

2. Zeus
Zeus used to spend a lot of time in the forests around the mountains with the nymphs. This used to make his wife, Hera, very jealous. So one day she followed Zeus into the mountains to spy on him.
Hera

3. A nymph called, Echo, tried to stop Hera from seeing where Zeus was
A nymph called, Echo, tried to stop Hera from seeing where Zeus was. She talked to Hera until Zeus got away. Hera realised what Echo was doing. She got very angry. She said that from now on Echo would only be able to repeat the last words of other people.
Echo

4. One day, a boy called Narcissus was walking in the forest
One day, a boy called Narcissus was walking in the forest. Narcissus was very handsome and when Echo saw him she fell in love with him. But Narcissus only cared about himself. He did not care about other people. Echo began to follow him through the forest.
Narcissus

5. Narcissus heard the leaves moving and called out “Who’s there
Narcissus heard the leaves moving and called out “Who’s there?” Echo didn’t speak. “Stop hiding! Let us meet!” Narcissus said. “Let us meet,” Echo repeated. But Narcissus was scared and shouted. “No! I will not let you love me!” “Love me, love me, love me!” Echo repeated, but Narcissus ran away.

6. Echo was very sad. She went to a cave up in the mountain to be alone
Echo was very sad. She went to a cave up in the mountain to be alone. Narcissus ran through the forest and only stopped at a still lake. He looked over the edge and saw a beautiful person staring back at him and he fell in love.

7. But Narcissus had fallen in love with his own reflection
But Narcissus had fallen in love with his own reflection. He stayed by the lake, staring at his reflection until he died. In his place a new flower began to grow. This flower was white with a yellow middle. The flower was then called Narcissus.

8. When Echo heard that Narcissus had died she was very sad
When Echo heard that Narcissus had died she was very sad. She was so sad she began to fade until all that was left was her voice. Her voice is still heard among the mountains, repeating the last words of anything that is said.

9. Let’s Discuss the Story!
What is a myth?
What character’s did we meet in the story?
Where did the story take place?
What was Narcissus like?
What was Echo like?
What was Hera like?
Who was your favourite character? Why?
The story of Narcissus and Echo gives us an explanation for two things we see in our world. What are they?