The story of Persophone.

From a crack in the earth, a shadowy chariot burst forth, drawn by ghostly horses that thundered across the grass. At the reins stood Hades, ruler of the Underworld, his eyes fixed on Persephone. He had witnessed her kindness and grace, and knew he wanted her as his queen. In a heartbeat, the chariot swept Persephone away, vanishing into the ground. The flowers she held slipped from her fingers, scattering like lost dreams across the field.

Persephone’s mother, Demeter, was the goddess of harvest and all growing things. When Demeter discovered her daughter missing, she wandered the world, searching with a torch in each hand, her hope flickering with every step. Fields dried up, seeds waited in silence, and the warm green earth faded to gray and stillness. People everywhere called out for help as leaves curled and fruit shriveled on the vine.

Finally, the truth surfaced. The sun-god had seen the moment when Persephone was taken, and told Demeter everything. Hades had captured her and brought her to the Underworld. With a heavy heart, Demeter went to Zeus, the king of the gods, and begged, “The earth cannot survive without Persephone’s smile. You must command Hades to bring her home.” Zeus agreed and sent Hermes, the fastest messenger, to deliver his divine command.

Deep in the Underworld, Persephone was safe but missed her home fiercely. Hades, though mysterious, treated her with respect and offered her a throne and a crown. The quiet, echoing halls seemed lonely, no matter how grand. When Hermes finally arrived and delivered Zeus’s command, Hades did not refuse. Persephone could return to the sunlight above. But before she left, Hades offered Persephone a gleaming, ruby-red pomegranate. She ate only a few bright seeds, unaware that tasting food from the Underworld meant she would always be tied to return.

When Persephone emerged into the light, Demeter ran to her, tears of joy streaming down their faces as they held each other tight. Everywhere they walked, green shoots burst from the ground and birds broke into song. It seemed that happiness itself was blooming. Yet Zeus reminded them of an ancient rule: because Persephone had eaten food from the Underworld, she could not stay on earth for good.

The gods gathered and made a new plan. Persephone would spend part of the year with her mother on earth. During that time, Demeter’s happiness would spread warmth over the fields, grain would grow tall and golden, and the world would be alive with colour. For the rest of the year, Persephone would return to the Underworld, and Demeter would become quiet and thoughtful. The fields would rest, leaves would drift down, and winter would settle in.

People watched and learned from their story. When blossoms opened and the air grew sweet, Persephone was with Demeter, and the world welcomed everyone. When the days grew short and the earth turned still, Persephone had gone back below, and the ground gathered its strength for another year. The changing seasons became more than just weather—they became a tale of love between mother and daughter, of loss, and of the promise that, after every cold winter, spring would always return.