So i had kinda an interesting day today. Aside from things at work being a little stressful, i got the "steer clear" package from my State Farm agent today. Since i had an at-fault accident in march of 2002, I just now became eligible for this program. So i call to my agent to find out what i need to do to get this thingy. well....she says to me "just come in and pick up a box for your son or daughter." And i said..."uh...or me??" And she was so surprised! "Oh...yeah...i guess you too." It was like she couldn't imagine someone under the age of 25 not having their parents taking care of this for them. So then i go to the insurance place to pick up my box thingy, and as i'm pulling out of their parking lot, an SUV flies out from behind me. How ridiculous would it be for me to get in an accident, right in front of my insurance office while i'm getting information on being a better driver. It would have been just my luck!

So...i have a story to relate for today. There are several version of this story, so bare with me on the details here if you already know the story.

There once was a woodland nymph named Echo. She was incredibly beautiful and lived in the woods. However, once she had crossed Hera, the wife of Zeus, and was cursed to only be able to repeat what she heard. One day as Echo was galloping through the woods she came upon the most beautiful man she had ever seen. His name was Narcissus. She instantly fell in love with him and desparately longed to be by his side. She followed him for hours, and finally got up enough nerve to make her presence known. However, Narcissus would not return her affections. He shunned her and told her never to speak to him again. Echo, completely heart broken, pled with Hera to to punish Narcissus for his callous rebuke. Hera cursed Narcissus and banished Echo to the mountains to live out her days. As Narcissus was walking through the woods one day, he came upon a perfectly still lake. He knelt by the lake to drink, but when he caught sight of his reflection, he instantly fell in love with himself. For days he sat by the side of the lake, unable to pull his gaze away from his own face. He would not eat nor drink for fear of losing site of the beautiful image before him. Eventually, Narcissus began to waste away until there was nothing left of him but a small white flower. The flower was all that remained of Narcissus's beauty. To this day, the delicate white flower still blooms close to the lake, to remind everyone of the dangers of self-love.

Hope you enjoyed your Greek mythology lesson for the day.