Part 23 (1/2)

”I have to go,” said Persephone.

”You what?” said Her Mother.

”I have to go away from You.”

”What are You saying? What can You mean? You can't go. Persephone, We have everything here. We have the world, the whole world. What do You mean? Why? Where would You go?”

”I have to go, Mother. Down. I have to go under the Earth. There are jewels there, Mommy. I have to go.”

”Oh, my darling Child. You can't. You can't go. It isn't safe. Tell Me You won't go.”

Persephone loosed Her hands from Her Mother's.

”Let's eat, Mommy,” She said.

The next day, Demeter stood looking and looking for Her Daughter. When She finally came, Demeter grabbed Her and held Her.

”Don't go. Oh, don't go, Persephone.” The two of Them rocked back and forth, holding each other in the sun.

Finally, Persephone pushed away. Tears were on both faces.

”I have to go. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll be back.

Good-bye.” She threw a cloak over Her shoulders. As She ran, it billowed out behind Her like a sail.

Demeter stood frozen for an instant. Then She let out a cry, ”NO!” and leapt after Her Daughter. She drew just near enough to see a huge rock rumble aside, Persephone disappear, and the rock move again over the opening.

Demeter flung Herself at the rock. It did not move. She moaned and steadied Herself. Then She eased Herself down and held Her head in Her hands. For a long time Her shoulders shook silently. Night came. She stayed.

Neither did She move the next day. She sat still and spoke to no one.

For a week She did not change her place. She did not eat. There were circles under Her eyes. A sore grew on Her mouth.

When She s.h.i.+fted Her posture the next week, it was only to pull Her robe more tightly about Her. For the wind, always before easy and warm, had grown strong and cold.

Demeter's hair knotted in the wind. The birds and animals who had not heard Her voice in so long went away. Demeter tipped Her head up to the sky.

”I wish only for a blanket to cover me,” She cried out. And something white began to fall from the sky. It swirled and turned. Silently it began to cover the ground.

Demeter slept through the night and part of the next day. When She awoke the sky was gray, and all around Her and on Her feet and arms was the white blanket called snow.

No leaves could be seen. The trees scratched at the sky. No food could be found.

And still Demeter did not move.

Days and weeks went by. They turned into months.

Then one day, the sun was warm enough to begin to melt the blanket of snow. Demeter licked Her dry lips. Then She shrugged. With a great effort, She pushed Herself to Her feet. As soon as She did so, something came out of the ground where She had been sitting so long.

Why, it was a flower! A tiny white flower.

Then Demeter felt the ground beneath Her move. The rock on which She'd sat uprooted itself and uncovered a flight of stairs leading down into the Earth. Demeter made a sharp noise and braced Herself against the rock. She peered into the opening.