In order to enlighten young minds about Greek mythology, it is essential to narrate the myth of Narcissus. This Greek tale is not only engaging and fascinating but also offers valuable morals about self-love and vanity.

Narcissus, in Greek mythology, was known for his extraordinary beauty that he mesmerized both men and women. He was the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope, who was told at his birth by the seer Teiresias that Narcissus would live a long life provided “he never knew himself.”

One day, Narcissus was spotted by the nymph Echo at a hunting party. Bewitched by his attractiveness, Echo couldn’t help but follow Narcissus through the woods, entranced by his beauty. She longed to speak to him but was restrained due to her curse – she could only echo what others say.

The pure-hearted Echo finally managed to confess her love to Narcissus through echoed words. However, her love went unrequited as Narcissus, who loved nobody except himself, rejected Echo cruelly, deepening her longing and sorrow until she withered away into just a voice.

Then Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, intervened hearing about Narcissus’s cruel actions towards Echo. She led him to a pond where Narcissus saw his reflection in the water. For the first time in his life, he fell in love with someone—only it was not someone else but his own reflection. Unaware that he has fallen in love with his own self, he wasted away on the bank of the river in despair when his love remained unrequited.

Unaware of Teiresias’ prediction at his birth and completely consumed by unfulfilled longing for his own image in the water, Narcissus eventually met his demise beside this reflective pool.

It was at this location where new kind of flower sprang up with yellow centers surrounded by white petals. It inherited its name from its tragic predecessor and known as “Narcissus” which we now know today as daffodils.

Teaching students about the narcissus myth can serve dual purposes: it can enrich their understanding of allusion commonly used in literature while simultaneously warning them against excessive vanity or self-love.

In conclusion, tales like these are part of our common heritage; They resonate through our literature from poetry to prose and continue to influence modern narratives today. Lessons drawn from them form potent moments of teaching that impart wisdom besides offering leisurely pleasure derived from storytelling itself.