1. The Story of Narcissus

2. What is the Story About? This story is about an extremely handsome young man and a beautiful nymph and the tragedy that befell them both. Think about the story and we will see if we can learn anything from the tragic events therein.

3. Echo & Hera Echo was a beautiful nymph who lived in the woods and often hunted with the goddess Artemis for deer and other wildlife. Although she was beautiful, Echo was very talkative. One day the goddess Hera was looking for her husband, Zeus, in the woods.

4. The Curse Hera met Echo, who delayed her so long that Hera did not find Zeus. Hera was not happy and she placed a curse on Echo. This curse did not allow Echo to say anything except to repeat what she had heard.

5. Narcissus Narcissus was a very beautiful boy, who grew into a most handsome man. He was so beautiful that all who met him fell deeply in love with him. But Narcissus loved only himself and rejected all others.

6. Echo Meets Narcissus As Echo strolled through the woods one day she saw Narcissus and immediately fell deeply in love with him. Narcissus could hear someone in the woods near him, but could see no-one. He called out, “Who’s here?” Unfortunately the cursed Echo could only repeat his words. “Here,” she replied, coming out so Narcissus could see her and return her love!

7. Narcissus Sees His Reflection Poor Echo was so shocked when Narcissus rejected her that she fled into the mountains. After some time had passed, Narcissus was walking in the woods one day when he came by a pond of crystal clear water. The pond was in a part of the wood that people rarely visited. Narcissus bent down to take a drink from the pure waters of the pond and saw his own reflection looking back at him!

8. Narcissus Falls in Love He instantly became transfixed by his own beautiful face. He tried to reach down and embrace the image that he saw in the water, he tried to bend down and kiss the reflection. But of course, as he touched the surface of the water, the reflection moved away from him.

9. The Tragic End! And so, Narcissus became happy just to be able to stare at this beautiful creature he saw before him and he forgot all about the need to eat and drink, as he lay beside the pond, staring at his own reflection.

10. Narcissus, the Flower Narcissus couldn’t tear himself away from his new found love and eventually he died at the edge of the pond, still gazing at his own reflection. When his friends came to find his body it had gone. In its place grew a beautiful flower that we know today as Narcissus.

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