The story of Persephone tells of how she was abducted by Hades to the underworld, causing her mother Demeter’s sorrow to have a negative effect on nature. To resolve the situation, Zeus intervened and made an agreement with Hades for Persephone to spend one-third of the year in the underworld and the rest of the time on earth with her mother. This led to the creation of the seasons, with winter occurring when Persephone descended to the underworld and spring coming when she returned to earth. The myth of Persephone explains the cycle of seasons in nature and also imparts the lesson that the balance and change of nature are inevitable but can be overcome through love and understanding.
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