Once upon a time, Hera, the queen of the gods, was listening intently to a mountain nymph named Echo. Echo was famous for her charming stories and endless chatter. However, Echo was actually distracting Hera while her husband, Zeus, was off with other nymphs. When Zeus got careless, Hera discovered the truth. Furious with Echo for helping Zeus, Hera decided to punish her. From that day on, Echo could no longer tell her enchanting stories. Instead, she could only repeat the last words spoken to her. This made her conversations dull, and soon, people stopped wanting to be around her. Echo became very sad and lonely.
One day, while wandering through the forest, Echo saw a young man hunting deer. This was Narcissus, the incredibly handsome son of a river god and a water nymph. When he was born, a seer told his mother that Narcissus would live a long life, but only if he never truly knew himself. As he grew up, Narcissus became proud and preferred to be alone, leaving many broken hearts in his wake.
When Echo saw Narcissus, she was filled with longing. Unable to start a conversation, she followed him quietly. Narcissus heard a noise and called out, “Who goes there? Who are you?” Echo could only repeat, “You,” trying to sound as sweet as possible. Annoyed, Narcissus said, “Let me go, I can’t stay.” Echo could only repeat his words, pleading for him to stay. Narcissus, frustrated, exclaimed, “I’d rather die than have you love me!” Echo could only echo back, “Love me… love me.” Narcissus told her to leave him alone and disappeared.
Heartbroken, Echo wandered into a cave. Her sadness grew until only her voice remained, echoing through empty spaces and lonely places. Her voice could be heard in caves and across clearings, forever repeating the words of others.
Narcissus had broken many hearts, including that of a young man named Ameinias. Before Ameinias died, he prayed to Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, asking that Narcissus would one day feel the pain of love. Nemesis heard his prayer and decided it was time for Narcissus to face the consequences.
Nemesis led Narcissus to a clear, glassy pool. As he bent down to drink, he saw his reflection for the first time. Captivated by the beautiful image, Narcissus spent all day admiring himself. He reached out to touch the reflection, but it vanished. Narcissus finally understood the pain of unrequited love.
Obsessed with his reflection, Narcissus forgot to eat or drink. He wasted away, his body becoming part of the earth. When the wood nymphs passed by, all that was left of him was a white and yellow flower bending towards its reflection in the water. This flower became known as the narcissus.
Imagine the story of Narcissus and Echo happening in today’s world. Work in small groups to create a short skit that reimagines the myth in a modern setting. Consider how the characters might interact using today’s technology and social media. Perform your skit for the class and discuss how the themes of the myth are still relevant today.
Choose either Echo or Narcissus and write a diary entry from their perspective. Reflect on their feelings and experiences throughout the myth. How do they perceive their own actions and the consequences? Share your diary entry with a partner and discuss the motivations and emotions of the character you chose.
Use any art materials you have available to create a piece of artwork inspired by the myth of Narcissus and Echo. This could be a drawing, painting, or digital art. Focus on capturing the emotions and themes of the story. Display your artwork in the classroom and explain the symbolism and choices you made in your creation.
Write a poem that captures the essence of the myth. You can focus on a specific character, theme, or event from the story. Use poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and repetition to enhance your poem. Share your poem with the class and discuss how poetry can convey the deeper meanings of myths.
Divide the class into two groups and hold a debate on the topic: “Was Narcissus truly at fault for his downfall?” One group will argue that Narcissus was responsible for his fate, while the other will argue that external forces were to blame. Use evidence from the myth to support your arguments and engage in a respectful discussion.
Hera, queen of the gods, was on the edge of her throne. A mountain nymph named Echo, known for her charm and chatter, was sharing a captivating story with her. However, what Hera didn’t realize was that Echo was merely distracting her while her husband, Zeus, was engaging with other nymphs. Unfortunately for Echo, Zeus became careless, and Hera discovered the truth. Enraged by Echo’s involvement—and feeling powerless to stop her husband’s actions—Hera decided to silence the nymph permanently. From that moment on, Echo could no longer enchant listeners with her tales; she could only repeat the last words spoken to her. As her conversations became monotonous and her company less desirable, Echo grew despondent.
One day, while wandering through the woods, Echo spotted a young man hunting deer. It was Narcissus, the extraordinarily handsome son of a river god and a water nymph. After his birth, a seer had given his mother a mysterious prophecy: Narcissus would live a long life—but only if he never truly knew himself. No one was quite sure what to make of this, and in the meantime, Narcissus grew into a proud young man. His good looks attracted many admirers, but he preferred to wander through life alone, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind him.
Seeing Narcissus, Echo was filled with longing. Unable to start a conversation, she followed him. Soon, Narcissus heard a rustle and called out, “Who goes there? Who are you?” Echo revealed herself but could only repeat the word “you,” trying to make her tone as endearing as possible as she approached him. Agitated, Narcissus said, “Let me go, I can’t stay.” Echo could only plead for him to stay. Freeing himself from her grasp, Narcissus snapped, “I’d rather die than have you love me!” To which Echo could only respond, “Love me… love me.” Narcissus told Echo once more to leave him alone, then disappeared from her sight.
Echo wandered to a cave, and gradually, her heart grew heavy and her body frail until all that remained of her was her voice, which the wind carried to vast, empty places. Forever after, it could be heard echoing through hollow caves and resonating across lonely clearings.
But this wasn’t the first time heartbreak over Narcissus had proven fatal. A young man named Ameinias had also been cruelly rejected by Narcissus. Before his death, he prayed to Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, that Narcissus would one day experience the pain of love. She heard Ameinias’ pleas and, upon witnessing Echo’s fate, decided it was time for retribution.
So, Nemesis led Narcissus to a clear, glassy pool. As he bent down to drink, he caught sight of a hauntingly beautiful young man. Never before had Narcissus seen himself with such clarity. He spent the day admiring every glinting angle and glowing curl, then passed the evening gazing at his reflection by moonlight, his fingers grazing the water. Days went by, and Narcissus never parted from his one true love. When he reached out, his reflection reached for him; and when he leaned in to kiss, he tilted his face. But when he tried to hold the enchanting figure, it vanished. At last, Narcissus experienced the agony of unrequited love.
Neglecting to eat or drink, Narcissus wasted away. His neck ached from bending over the lake, and his legs became rooted to the grass. When the wood nymphs finally passed by, all that remained of him was a white and yellow flower bending towards its reflection. From then on, it was known as narcissus.
Myth – A traditional story, often involving supernatural beings or events, that explains a natural or social phenomenon. – In Greek mythology, the myth of Persephone explains the changing seasons.
Echo – A sound that is reflected off a surface and heard again. – In the myth of Echo and Narcissus, Echo was cursed to only repeat the last words spoken to her.
Narcissus – A character in Greek mythology known for his beauty and self-obsession, leading to his tragic end. – The story of Narcissus warns of the dangers of excessive self-love and vanity.
Love – A deep affection and care for someone or something. – The love between Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous in literature.
Heartbroken – Overwhelmed with sorrow or grief, especially due to a romantic relationship. – After Pyramus believed Thisbe was dead, he was heartbroken and took his own life.
Goddess – A female deity with divine powers, often worshipped in various mythologies. – Athena, the goddess of wisdom, played a crucial role in many Greek myths.
Reflection – An image seen in a mirror or shiny surface. – Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in the water, unaware it was just an image.
Loneliness – A feeling of sadness due to being isolated or without company. – The myth of Echo highlights her loneliness after being rejected by Narcissus.
Stories – Narratives created to entertain, inform, or convey cultural values and morals. – The stories of Aesop’s fables often teach valuable life lessons through animal characters.
Punishment – A penalty given for a wrongdoing or transgression. – In mythology, Prometheus faced severe punishment for giving fire to humanity.
