The dread ferryman in his duties came ever to the kingdom's portals. And there he heard the happenings on earth, and fables of happenings in Heaven.
These tales he passed on to Persephone, for she longed to know of the world she had left behind.
And one day he brought to her a tale that left her heart cold.
Ceres, her mother, was nearing the end of her days. She prayed daily to the Gods that she might see, before her departure, her beloved daughter.
The bargain had been made. Six long months must Persephone dwell within the nether realm. The Gods would not relent.
Still, Persephone would see her mother. She pleaded with the ferryman. To no avail. He listened not to her pleas. He carried only passengers from the portal to deep within. None carried he to the portal.
She wandered though Hades with sad mien, searching for a path to the other side. She found none.
While in her search, she met the shades of the departed. On one such meeting she heard the name, Orpheus.
Suddenly her eyes widened. Orpheus! The only living man to enter Hades without the attendant ferryman!
Slowly, from tormented souls, from the ferryman, even from Pluto himself, she gathered details of that entry. How he came, singing his songs, and melted even the heart of Pluto.