Persephone and Demeter
Will Demeter continue with the Deal
The Myth of Olympians Persephone and Demeter
Persephone would not stop crying was terrified, she had heard of a myth that if she ate anything in the Underworld she would be trapped there forever. Persephone rejected Hades and refused to eat.
Time grew and Persephone couldn't bare hunger any more, she was so hungry. She couldn't resist food, so she ate six pomegranate seeds. Her fate was now sealed she was to live in the Underworld.
Meanwhile Demeter Goddess of crops and plants and Olympian wanted Persephone. She was Persephone's mother and couldn't stop crying she missed her daughter deeply. It had been such a long time since Demeter had seen her. Demeter was so upset she couldn't even care for her crops.
Selfishly, Zeus, Olympian and king of all Gods was only worried about no-one worshipping him. Zeus knew if Demeter kept on crying and never looked after her crops then his worshippers would die. He then became frightened and decided he had to do something. Zeus then called upon his youngest son,God and Olympian Hermes.
Hermes was Messenger for the Gods and was great at arranging deals since he was a young infant. Hermes went to Hades and discussed a deal. The deal was that Persephone had to marry Hades and become Queen of the Underworld. She would then have to send six months of the year living in the Underworld with Hades, but then for other six months of the year she would be rewarded and stay with her mother Demeter.
Finally everyone agreed to the deal even Demeter. Now every spring Demeter helps all the flowers and crops to grow beautifully to welcome her daughter. But when Persephone returns to the Underworld, Demeter lets all the flowers and crops die while she cries until the cycle starts again.
Demeter has now been crying more often, because she is missing her daughter. She knows that Persephone is getting older, and she wants to look after her. Demeter is over thinking her decision, but is willing to continue with the deal. She is afraid that if she disagrees with the deal then she may never see her daughter again.