Persephone and the Seeds

Part One

The Greeks told of Persephone. She loved flowers. Her mother, Demeter, made the plants grow.

One day Persephone found a new flower. She pulled it up. The ground shook!

Hades, a king who lived deep down, took her below. Persephone was sad. She wanted her mother.

Demeter looked and looked for her girl. She was so sad that nothing would grow.

The leaves fell. The fields went cold and bare. Winter came to the world.

At last Zeus sent Hermes down to the dark. "Bring Persephone home!" he said.

Hades gave Persephone a red fruit. She ate six seeds. Then she went up to her mother.

Demeter hugged her. But Persephone had eaten six seeds. She had to go back for part of each year.

Now Persephone is below for six months. Demeter is sad, and it is winter.

When Persephone comes home, the flowers bloom. It is spring! The sun is warm, and plants grow.