The Story of Proserpine

Long, long ago, in the beautiful island of Sicily, there lived a goddess called Ceres. She was the goddess of crops, plants and trees; so on her depended the health and happiness of all the people of this wide world.

Ceres had a fair daughter, Proserpine whom she loved more than her life. Proserpine was the brightest and loveliest of all girls. Her cheeks were rosy and beautiful like the apple blossom in spring. Her eyes were as blue as the sky in April. Her long golden curls were as bright as the sunlight in springtime. All the radiant loveliness of springtime seemed to have taken the from of this fair maiden. Everybody said, "She is the spring. "Proserpine seemed to have taken the the fields. With her young companions she danced and sang, while gathering flowers.

Far down the earth, there lived dark Pluto, king of the land of the dead. He had often asked some goddess to come and live with him, but no goddess was willing to live among the dead. So Pluto was very lonely.

One day Pluto come to earth and was driving along in his swift chariot. Behind some bushes he heard voices and laughter. He was curious. He stopped his chariot, and walked to the bushes. There he saw Proserpine laughing and plying with her companions who formed a circle round her.