Echo as life

“Civility costs nothing and buys everything.” 

- Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

Once upon a time, a man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy tripped and screamed, "Ahhhhh." Surprised, he heard a voice coming from the mountain, "Ahhhhh!"

Filled with curiosity, he yelled "Who are you?", but the only answer he received was: "Who are you?"

This made him rather angry, so he screamed "You are a coward!" and the voice answered: "You are a coward!"

The boy looked at his father and asked, "Dad, what is going on?" "Son," the man replied, "pay attention!" 

Then he yelled, "I admire you!" 

The voice answered: "I admire you!" 

The father shouted, "You are wonderful!", and the voice answered: "You are wonderful!"

The boy stood surprised, still not understanding what is going on.

Echo - the myth

“A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. “

- Oscar Wilde

The story of the nymph Echo is an ancient one and it has its merits certainly.

Echo was a beautiful nymph, fond of the woods and hills, where she devoted herself to woodland sports. She was a favorite of Diana, and attended her in the chase. However, Echo had one failing; she was fond of talking, and whether in chat or argument, would have the last word. 

One day, goddess Juno went seeking her husband, who, she feared, was amusing himself with the nymphs. Echo by her talk contrived to detain the goddess until the nymphs made their escape. When Juno discovered it, she passed sentence upon Echo in these words: 

"You shall be deprived of the use of that tongue with which you have cheated me except for that one purpose you are so fond of - reply. You shall still have the last word, but no power to speak first."