Zeus was the king of gods. His wife was hera. One day Hera, who was a very jealous goddess, heard that Zeus was in love with a pretty young nymph. She then came down to find out who the nymph was. When the nymphs saw her, they all flew away except Echo, a young nymph, who was very fond of talking. She kept talking to Hera till Hera could not follow the nymphs. Hera was so furious and took away the power of speech from Echo.
"From now on, you'll not be able to say anything except to repeat the last word of what you hear," Hera said before she left.
Echo was so depressed and she tried to beg for forgiveness but it was to no avail. She could not utter any words but the last word she heard.