Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, goddess of the earth - the goddess of the harvest. Hermes relates how one day Hades, god of the underworld, comes to the upper world and there sees Persephone, who is out collecting flowers for her mother. Hades is entranced and takes Persephone down to his underground kingdom to become his bride.

Demeter has lost her daughter and curses the earth. Plants and animals die; the weather turns to winter. Zeus sends Hermes to the underworld to bring Persephone back - and he must hurry, because if Persephone has eaten any food in the underworld she will have to stay there forever.

In the underworld Hades strikes a deal with Hermes...a deal that will result in a balance of summer and winter. Show less