The Story#
A long, long time ago, in Greek mythology, there was a beautiful goddess of spring named Persephone.
She was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the earth. Persephone was very beautiful.
One day, Persephone was picking flowers in a meadow.
“Wow, this flower is so pretty!” She picked a narcissus.
Suddenly, the earth cracked open!
Hades, the god of the underworld, drove his black chariot up from underground.
He grabbed Persephone and took her to the underworld!
When Demeter found her daughter missing, she was heartbroken.
She was so sad that she forgot to take care of the earth.
Flowers withered, leaves fell, and the earth became desolate.
People had no food to eat and were very hungry.
Zeus found out and ordered Hades to return Persephone.
But Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds in the underworld.
If you eat food from the underworld, you can’t leave completely.
Finally, they made an agreement:
Persephone would stay in the underworld for six months each year, and on earth for six months.
When she’s on earth, Demeter is happy, and it’s spring and summer; When she’s in the underworld, Demeter is sad, and it’s autumn and winter.
Little friends, this is why we have four seasons!
What the Story Teaches Us#
Persephone’s story explains the changing of seasons. This story teaches us that nature has its own patterns, and spring will always bring warmth and hope.