Happy Demeter, goddess of the harvest, made the world’s plants and trees bloom and grow all year. Her daughter, Persephone, helped her in this work. All was well when they were together, and Demeter allowed the mortals to enjoy the fruits and vegetables that she grew on Earth.
Zeus’ brother Hades, god of the underworld, loved Persephone from afar. He asked Zeus, who was not only the king of the gods but also Persephone’s father, for permission to marry her. Zeus didn’t say yes, because he knew Demeter would never part with her daughter. But he also didn’t say no, as he was loyal to his brother. Finally, Hades decided to act for himself.
One day, when Persephone was alone in a meadow, Hades kidnapped her and took her to the underworld. In that dark place, where almost nothing grew, Persephone was miserable. She refused to drink or eat anything except a few pomegranate seeds.
Demeter was equally miserable without her daughter, and she neglected the world’s plants as she searched for Persephone. Harvests failed, trees and plants withered. The mortals were in danger of starving.
When Demeter finally discovered Persephone in the underworld, she begged Zeus for help. “Command Hades to release our daughter!” she cried. “Look at her! Persephone is withering away like the plants of the earth.” Zeus agreed. “As long as Persephone hasn’t eaten any food of the dead she shall be free.” “I ate almost nothing,” cried Persephone from inside the underworld’s gates.“Just six pomegranate seeds.” “Then you shall spend six months of each year as Queen of the underworld,” said Zeus. “The other six months you may live with your mother.”
Though Demeter and Persephone cried and pleaded, Zeus was firm. For six months every year, Persephone stayed with Hades in the underworld. While Demeter mourned for her daughter, Earth’s plants and trees drooped, withered, and died. When Persephone returned and Demeter rejoiced, the growing things revived and bloomed again.
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