Greek and Roman Myths

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Demeter and Persephone

   Demeter was the mother earth she had a daughter name Persephone. Persephone was pretty and she   loved the outside like he mother.

    One day when Persephone was picking flowers with her nymphs, She wandered off so far that she could not see them. Then she saw a very unusual flower. When she bent down to pick it the earth opened up. Out jumped Hades, god of the underworld and wealth, riding on a carriage with his black stallion. Then he grabbed her by the waist and threw her on the carriage. She cried out for help, to her mother, to her nymphs , but to no avail. The nymphs heard her cry and ran  to the spot where she was captured,but she was no longer there. The only trace of her was the flowers that she had collected and then dropped.

   When Demeter found out, she was saddened and furious at the same time. Suddenly the world grew cold because she was in such remorse. The leaves started dropping off the trees. All the crops started dying because of the cold. She wondered the world looking for her lost daughter. She was disguised in a raggedy cloak so nobody could know who she really was, but when people did recognize her they pleaded for help, begging for mercy.
    The only thing she said was " Warmth will come again when I have my daughter back."

Meanwhile in the under world Persephone's skin was growing paler every day for she would not eat. There were blue bags under her eye for she could not sleep. She would not be happy until she got her mother. Hades tried in every way to please her for he loved her (not a common thing for the god of death). He showed her his mass of wealth. This didn't please her. He made the ghosts dance for her. This too did not please her.
    He said to Persephone "Tell me what you want and I will get it for you."
    Persephone only said "The warmth of the sun. The colorful flowers. The smell of fresh air and my mother at my side."

    As time went by, it got colder and colder. The gods came down to Demeter and asked her to bring warmth to the world once more.
    Again she replied "When my daughter returns to me."  She pleaded with Zeus to tell her where her daughter was. He knew that Hades had her, but her he also knew Hades would would be heart broken without her.
    The only thing Zeus said was "She is in good hands. You might have a chance of getting her back if she doesn't eat anything, but if she does she will have to stay there forever." After Demeter left he sent Hermes down to the to the underworld to bargain with Hades.

    When Hermes got down to the underworld, Persephone was thrilled. Her face lit up. Her cheeks flushed a lovely pink. Her eyes became starry with happiness. She ran to Hermes though her body was becoming frail. But, when she saw her mother was not with him, she became even more distraught than before.
    Hermes delivered the message "Hades, please give Persephone back to her mother."
    "NO!" said Hades in a firm but saddened voice. That with such force it could shatter glass from a window sill.
    "Can't you see she is going to die if you keep her here. She is becoming frail and thin. Her mother is destroying the earth and its people in sadness. You must let her go." Grudgingly Hades gave his consent.

    When Hermes left, Persephone was over overjoyed at the fact that she would soon be leaving. Hades however was deeply saddened and tearful. His last wish as a farewell offering was for her to take the pomegranate, for he was clever. Persephone unknowing of the rule Zeus had made, ate seven of the Pomegranate seeds. When Hermes came back down to release Persephone from her prison of darkness, she was thrilled.

When Demeter saw her daughter she shed tears of joy. She could not recall a happier day. They hugged and kissed for a long period of time. Finally the only question that remained was asked.
    "Did you eat any thing while down in the underworld?" Demeter asked, anxiously searching her face for an answer.
    "Yes" said Persephone for she could not tell a lie to her mother. Then she added quickly "But it was only seven pomegranate seeds that I ate after I heard the wonderful news". She did not know the harm she had done to herself or her mother until she saw the despairing look on her mother's face.
    "Alas" said Demeter in anguish and then she proceeded to tell her daughter of the rule proclaimed by Zeus. "Since you ate but seven seeds the price to pay will be to live seven months of the year with Hades and the other five with me"

    Thus was it said and thus it was done. To this day, seven months of the year it is cold and plants die as Demeter morns for her daughter, and Hades rejoices for the return of his love. After the seven months have gone by, Demeter and Persephone reunite as a mother and daughter should. Then the world rejoices with spring and summer once again.