The birds flew away and said, “We cannot sing for Persephone has gone.”
Demeter was more miserable than any one else. She had heard Persephone call her, and had gone straight home.
She searched all the earth for her child. She asked every one she met these questions, “Have you seen Persephone? Where is Persephone?”
The only answer she ever received was, “Gone, gone, Persephone is gone!”
Demeter became a wrinkled old woman. No one would have known that she was the kind mother who had always smiled on the people.
Nothing grew on the earth and all was dreary and barren.
Demeter said that she would do nothing until Persephone returned to her.
It was useless for the people to plow the soil.
It was useless to plant the seeds. Nothing could grow without the help of Demeter.
All the people were idle and sad.