Echo and Narcissus By: Leo

 A Myth Retold By Leo

            Echo was a beautiful nymph.  She was very fond of the woodlands and dedicated herself to their games.  Echo had but one fault-she always had the last word in any argument of conversation.  One day, while conversing, she offended Juno.  Juno punished Echo by forcing her to forfeit her voice with which Juno had been cheated. “You will, however, be permitted to use your tongue for the one purpose which you relish-,” Juno continued, “Reply. You will always have the last word, but no power to speak of your own accord.”  From that day Echo helplessly repeated the last words of any sentence.

            As Echo wandered through the woods one day, she spied Narcissus, an attractive youth, as he chased game through the hills.  She approached him quickly, waiting impatiently for him to speak.  Narcissus, having lost his hunting companions, heard the nymph and called out, “Who’s there?”

            Echo replied, “There.”

            Narcissus looked around, and seeing Echo approaching, said, “Come.”

            Helplessly, Echo replied, “Come.”

            “Stop repeating!” shouted Narcissus irritated.

            Echo powerlessly called out the same words.

            Narcissus, being a self-absorbed young man, turned angrily from this apparent mocking.  Echo sadly stole away to a cave where she faded away in despair.  Soon, the only thing that remained was her voice, which eagerly repeated the last words of any traveler who called her.  The gods on Olympus watched Narcissus as he haughtily departed.  They determined to punish the young man. 

            Narcissus wandered through the woods after his encounter with Echo when he happened upon a clear fountain.  It was unused by any beasts of the field or the forest.  The grass around it grew green and lush, and the overhanging rocks provided shade for fatigued travelers.  Narcissus, being weary and parched, bent over to drink of the cool refreshing water.  Suddenly, a majestic form appeared in the water.  Because he had never before seen his reflection, he presumed that it was a beautiful water-spirit.  Upon seeing the reflection, he fell in love with it and was unable to tear himself away.  As time passed, Narcissus pined away for lack of food and water.  After his death, the wood-nymphs prepared a funeral, but when they came for Narcissus body, it was nowhere to be found.  In its place was a beautiful flower, which forever bore the name and memory of Narcissus.

By: Leo

Age: 11 Grade: 6th