Mythologies of many different cultures all seek to explain various natural phenomena with a story. Greek myths often attempt to explain the reason for hard to understand concepts like what happens after death, why it rains, or why people with extraordinary talents exist. They are often tools to teach moral or social lessons, explaining what might happen should you deviate from the right path.
Hades, god of the Underworld, abducted Persephone and brought her to his kingdom to be his wife.
CLIMAX
Persephone's mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, was so distraught over the abduction of her daughter that she refused to let anything grow. Plants died and the fields were cold and barren.
FALLING ACTION
Persephone is miserable in the darkness and lifelessness of the Underworld. Very few things grow there, such as cypress trees and pomegranates.
RESOLUTION
Zeus appeals to Demeter to allow plants to grow again to avoid great loss of life. She denounces Zeus for his part in their daughter's abduction, and demands that Persephone be returned to her.
Zeus agrees that Persephone can return to her mother, but because she had eaten food from the Underworld, Persephone must spend half of the year with Hades.
When Persephone is in the Underworld, Demeter misses her and causes the cold of winter. When she returns above ground, Persephone, goddess of spring, brings warmth and brightness back to the world.