It's All Greek to Me!

Echo and Narcissus, by Waterhouse, 1903

There are two parts to this story- one is about Echo, the other Narcissus. Let’s start with Echo. Echo was a nymph, and one day was annoying the goddess Hera. She didn’t mean to annoy the Queen of Heaven, but that’s what happens when you constantly ask  never-ending questions to a goddess known for her short temper and cruel punishments. Hera got so fed up with Echo’s persistent talking, she snapped and stole Echo’s voice; the only way Echo could speak was by imitating others around her. So, literally, she couldn’t speak until spoken to— and only what that other person said. Hence, the origin of the word “echo”.

Narcissus was a beautiful mortal man, but was so vain he would have nothing to do with anyone less beautiful than himself. One day he was strolling along in the woods and came across a stream. Thirsty, he bent down to drink, but was instantly mesmerized by the face he saw in the water. He tried to touch this mysterious water face/person, but every time his fingers broke the surface of the stream the face would disappear. He was so love-struck that he never figured out that he had fallen in love with his own reflection. Unable to part his beloved reflection, Narcissus stayed on the bank, staring at his own reflection.

After Echo’s curse, she wandered around the countryside, sad and alone, unable to communicate. She happened to come across the very stream where Narcissus was brooding over his own reflection. Falling madly in love with him but unable to get his attention, Echo stayed by the bank, hoping he would notice her/speak. When he finally did speak, he was unaware of Echo- speaking to his reflection, he would say “I love you.” Joyous that she could finally speak and proclaim her love, Echo echoed back “I love you,” but the lovesick Narcissus thought it was his own reflection that had answered him.

They both stayed on the river bank, until they wasted away. Echo, only able to say “I love you,” eventually faded away until all that was left was just a faint whisper of her voice. Narcissus also wasted away, but some god took pity on him and changed his body into the beautiful Narcissus flower, which then forever lined the bank of the stream.