Narcissus was a handsome youth, admired by all for his lovely face and graceful form. He was so proud of his beauty that he believed no one else was worthy of it. Consumed by self-adoration, he avoided all company and roamed the wooded valleys alone, madly in love with himself.
One day, while wandering through the woods, he was seen by a wood fairy maiden named Echo. She was instantly captivated and joyfully approached him, stretching out her loving arms. To her dismay, Narcissus roughly brushed her aside without even a glance. Blushing with shame, Echo withdrew to a shady spot, watching her beloved with longing eyes.
Later, Narcissus knelt by a clear stream to drink. In the water, he saw a beautiful face smiling back at him. Believing it to be a maiden in love with him, he bent down to kiss the reflection. As soon as he touched the water, the image vanished. Enraged and desperate, he remained by the stream day and night, refusing to eat or drink, until he died—never realizing the face was his own reflection.
The gods took pity on him and turned his body into a flower that bears his name: the narcissus.
The lovelorn Echo witnessed it all. Slowly, she wasted away from unrequited love until nothing remained of her but her voice.