In the past week I have run across two references to “the village idiot who was fascinated with his own shadow”. I’ve never heard that story. When I tried to Google it, I ran across dozens of references to the story, but no explanation of its origin. Can anyone enlighten me?
Leith Adams (née Bertha Grundy) wrote Cosmo Gordon in 1882, which contains the sentence: “‘As for May,’ continued her spoiled husband, ‘I believe she’s in as bad case as that young idiot in ancient history who fell in love with his own shadow.’” Here the character is referring to the story of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own shadow / reflection in a pool. I don’t know if that’s any connection to what you’ve encountered.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I kind of doubt it since both instances I ran across referred to the “village idiot” which is not a term I think of when I think of Narcissus.