Once upon a time there was a handsome youth called Narcissus, who was arrogant and self-centred.
The young ladies couldn't help falling in love with him. One was especially persistent, entreating a goddess, 'Make him love me'. She got no answer. Finally, in desperation, she prayed that he would learn what it was like to love someone without that love being reciprocated.
One day Narcissus came upon a quiet fountain, bent to drink, and immediately fell in love with the face he saw. But each time he tried to kiss this beauty, it disappeared. His new love held and captivated him; he could not leave and he lost all desire for food and drink. Finally, Narcissus died staring at his image in the fountain, striving to embrace the one object of his desire: himself.
