Punishments

Osaka in spring


The wisdom in Greek myths is awe-inspiring even in the modern age. Punishments, for one, are often so creatively cruel that the message of the tale gets right across.

In one version of the myth, the beautiful nymph Echo had a tendency to talk too much. Echo distracted Hera from Zeus with long and entertaining stories, so that Zeus could take advantage of the moments to attend to other females. When Hera found out, she punished Echo by making it impossible for Echo to say anything other than repeating others' last words. Some application of the tale to office politics?

Echo then fell in love with a vain youth named Narcissus. He is known for his haughtiness in spurning his admirers. One day, Echo followed Narcissus into the woods. She was longing to speak to him but was unable to speak first. She could only foolishly repeat Narcissus' shouting "Who's there?" until, finally, when she revealed herself and was predictably rejected. Echo was heartbroken. Nemesis heard the prayer asking that Narcissus suffer from unrequited love just as he had done to others. Nemesis made Narcissus come across a deep pool in the forest and see his own reflection for the first time, not realizing the image was one of himself. He fell for the reflection and, not being able to act on this love, stabbed himself to death. The flower narcissus sprang from his blood.

What a lovely tale warning people against being cruel to their admirers - the ending was stark comical, yet deserving.