Narcissus was the son of the river god Cephissus and a nymph named Leiriope. According to legend, Narcissus was so handsome that he became the object of many girls' affections. He refused them all, however. Eventually the gods became angry with Narcissus for being so selfish. To punish him, they made him fall in love with his own image. Narcissus saw his reflection in the surface of a pool of water when he leaned over to take a drink. He became so enchanted with his image that he could not look away. Narcissus stayed bent over the water staring at himself, and eventually he died there. The gods then took pity on Narcissus and changed him into a flower.