First we must begin with the story of Tantalus, a figure in Greek mythology. Tantalus was invited by Zeus to a banquet of the gods, whereby he tested the gods knowledge and power of foresight, his goal to treat them to the forbidden fruits of his loins. He sacrificed his son, Pelops, by cutting him up into pieces and served him as a meal only to be found a fool by the gods who saw through his wicked plan. Additionally, Tantalus stole ambrosia from the gods sharing it with mortals, divulging their secrets to all who listened. Threatening the balance between gods and humanity; this was his undoing, his treacherous actions of infidelity to the gods.

Consequently, Tantalus was eternally punished by forever standing in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water receded before he could be quenched. Confined to a world where such insatiable urges could never be pleased.