Friday, October 30, 2009
Empathy - "Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds"
Today, we read the Greek Myth of "Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds". For homework, please retell the story in the FIRST PERSON using "I". You can tell the story from the perspective of any character you like. You can be Persephone. You can be Demeter. You can be Zeus or Hermes or Pluto. Have fun and have a great long weekend!
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Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds
ReplyDeleteBy Pluto (James Robertson)
I was on my own in the underworld, I was very bored and I also had no wife to adore. I went up on Earth to find a wife and to my surprise I saw Persephone picking flowers like usual. I crept up behind her and cried, “GOT YOU!!!!” as I grabbed her from her hair.
I quickly ran back into the underworld like a leopard. Everyday, I looked up to see if anyone was looking for Persephone. Demeter always was looking for her day and night.
Finally, I asked Persephone if she would eat a bit of my food. She was about to when Mercury flew down screaming “STOP!!!!!” but he was too late .Persephone had ate 6 seeds out of the 12 I had given her.
Zeus said “Persephone will live up here for 6 months and live with Pluto (me) for the other 6 months of the year.
I was very sad, like people at a funeral when Persephone was on Earth but when she lived with me my emotions changed into a happy one like people watch clowns. When she lived with me my house was as bright as the sun but when she departed my home was as black as the night.
Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds
ReplyDeleteOne day when I was picking violets in the field I saw a man in black riding a horse. He came closer and closer. He grabbed my long hair and dragged me away. I was so scared I nearly fainted. I screamed to the man to let me go but he said no. When we reached the River Styx I cried out "River, help me! I am Persephone! Save me, please!" I slipped off my belt made of flowers and threw in the tumbling water. "Take that to my mother and tell her," I said. I asked the man where we were going. "To the Underworld," he laughed. Then I knew who it was. It was Pluto who had kidnapped me. Pluto is the god that rules over the Kingdom of the Dead.
After a few days Pluto asked me if I wanted to eat anything. "I'd rather die than eat your food," I cried. I was so mad and sad at the same time because Pluto had kidnapped me. Then Pluto gave me 12 pomegranate seeds to eat. I didn't want to eat but I was so hungry and I put 6 of the seeds in my mouth and then I heard someone scream "Stop!" It was Hermes, Zeus's messenger. He had come for me to help me go back to Earth. "Zeus commands you to let Persephone go," said Hermes. "No, said Pluto. Too late," "What do you mean?" I asked. "If you eat anything in the Underworld you have to stay there forever," Hermes told me. "So you mean that I have to stay here for the rest of my life?" I screamed. "Yes!" Pluto said. "Then I'm going to hate you forever;" I cried. When Pluto saw me cry he felt sorry for me.
Zeus decided that I would stay 6 month every year in the Underworld with Pluto as my husband and the other 6 month up on Earth with my mother. After some time I learned to love Pluto and we lived happily ever after.
By Albert
Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds.
ReplyDeleteBy Hermes (Denis)
One sunny day I was cleaning my beautiful, winged sandals when…Zeus screamed at me, telling me to tell Persephone not to eat any food.
I was the fastest flying of all the gods, but I was late… “STOP!” I screamed, but
Persephone had already eaten six out of twelve seeds, and the other six were lying on the cold and dark floor. Pluto and I began shouting at each other, while Persephone was sitting in a dark corner, sobbing and crying. I had done my best to stop Persephone from eating the food in the underworld, but Pluto just put the seeds in her mouth, and I didn’t even have time to stop her from eating.
Zeus decided that every 6 months Persephone would stay with her husband, Pluto, in the Underworld, and the next 6 months she would stay with her mother, Demeter.
By Denis.
Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds
ReplyDeleteBy Zeus (Max)
I was in Mount Olympus then suddenly the goddess Demeter, who looks after all of the countryside, starts banging on the gates of heaven. She is very upset and tells me that her daughter is missing. She says that Pluto has stolen her daughter Persephone and she wants me to get her daughter back. Pluto has taken her daughter to the underground and taken her by force. Demeter tells me that if I don’t help her then the earth will die as she will be too upset to look after the countryside. Oh no, I thought. Then the people on the earth will stop worshipping us gods as their crops will not grow and trees will die.
But I told Demeter that it wasn’t up to me because there are rules. If Persephone eats anything while she is in the Underworld then she can not return to earth. So I sent the fastest messenger that I have called Hermes to stop her from eating anything.
A few days later Hermes came back and told me what happened in the Underworld. Apparently Persephone had eaten something that Pluto had given her. She ate 6 pomegranate seeds but she didn’t know about the rule. Pluto had tricked her because he wanted her stay with him as his wife. Pluto was very lonely in the Underworld by himself. So I thought about what had happened long and hard and then made a decision. As Persephone ate 6 seeds then she must live in the Kingdom of the Dead for six months of every year with Pluto. The other six months she will live on the earth with her mother. And no one is allowed to argue with me when I have made a decision.
So I have made a good decision and everyone is happy for some of the time, Pluto has a wife, and Demeter has her daughter for six months every year.
PERSEPHONE AND THE POMEGRANATE SEEDS
ReplyDeleteMy name’s Persephone and I would like to tell you about what happened to me yesterday. It was a special day. The flowers were blooming and crops were ready for harvest. My mum was tending the countryside like a garden, planting seeds, watering the green grass and encouraging the trees to put on blossom first, then leaves and then fruit.
I was in the field and I was picking violets. And then suddenly I saw a man riding a horse. He looked very cruel and he was in black cloth. He was riding quiet fast right to the field and suddenly he kidnapped me holding my hair. I asked him to let me go, but he said no. Trees and flowers wanted him to leave me alone but he didn’t even notice it. Then I saw that we were near River Styx in the border of the Earth and the Underworld, I threw my cord of flowers into the river and said to her to tell my mother about what had happened to me.
A few days later Pluto offered me to eat his food but I would better die than eat his food. But Pluto gave me twelve seeds and I was very hungry and so I ate six of them. Then unexpectedly I saw Hermes crying to Pluto to get me back. But then he asked Pluto if he was late. But then he noticed that I had already eaten six seeds. And Pluto explained to me that if I ate one of his fruit, I would belong to Pluto.
Zeus decided to leave me with Pluto for six months as I had eaten six seeds and to leave me with my mother Demeter for the other six months of the year. And so during this half a year I learnt how to pity him and how to love him. And I also noticed that the life in the Underworld became much brighter and warmer.
By Michael
Everyday I was picking violets in the sisilian gardens. Everyday i went to the garden and walked back my mom. One day a man kidnaped me. His name was Pluto. Pluto lived underground. He dared me to eat, but I didn't trust his food. He had 12 seeds of pomgrenate he gave me 6. I ate them and all of a sudden Zues came in and said 'did you eat anything.' 'yes i did' I said. Then Zuez said 'How much' ' just 6 seeds of a pomgrenate.' 'hoe much did you have in youre hands when you started.' 'the.e.e.ere w.e.e.ere 12' So Zues made a desision that there are 12 mounths in a year and I ate 6 so I had to stay underground 6 mounths and I could be in the real world 6 mounths aswell.
ReplyDeleteBy Oceane Visser
Every day I was picking violets in the Sicilian gardens. Everyday I went to the garden and walked back my mom. One day a man kidnapped me. His name was Pluto. Pluto lived underground. He dared me to eat, but I didn't trust his food. He had 12 seeds of pomegranate he gave me 6. I ate them and all of a sudden Zeus came in and said 'did you eat anything.' 'Yes i did' I said. Then Zeus said 'How much' ' just 6 seeds of a pomegranate.' 'How much did you have in your hands when you started?' 'the.e.e.ere w.e.e.ere 12' So Zeus made a decision that there are 12 months in a year and I ate 6 so I had to stay underground 6 months and I could be in the real world 6 months as well.
ReplyDeletePersephone and the Pomegranate Seeds.
ReplyDeleteWe had to write this story in the eyes of someone different to the story. I chose to do the story in the eyes of Hermes.
I was resting in Mount Olympus when suddenly Zeus told me to fly to the underworld, to save Persephone.
I flew as fast as I could until I came to the entrance of the underworld. I quickly crossed the river Styx that separated the underworld and the earth.
Persephone was just about to eat some Pomegranate seeds when I shouted “Stop!”
There I saw Persephone having a feast with Pluto, king of the underworld, the one who stole away Persephone.
“Zeus the almighty commands you to let Persephone go…. or am I too late?” I looked at all the food in front of the two gold thrones.
“Yes, yes! You are too late!”Crowed Pluto.
“No! What do you mean?”Cried Persephone. A few pomegranate seeds fell from the palm of her hand.
“Have you eaten any of those?” I demanded. Persephone burst into tears.
“She has! She has!” cried Pluto triumphantly, “She is mine, forever!”
“Pluto, you’re a rascal,”I said. “You should have told her. I am sorry Persephone. There is a rule, you see. You have accepted Pluto’s food. So now you have to stay here forever.”
And hate you forever, Pluto!”Cried Persephone, “Because you tricked me!”
When she said this even Pluto turned a little pale. “I only stole you away because I was so lonely,” he said, hanging his head.
I had to feel sorry for them both. “Let Zeus decide!” I declared.
When Zeus heard what had happened, he thought long and hard before making his judgment. Finally, he declared, “Because Persephone ate six of the twelve pomegranate seeds, let her live for six months of every year in the underworld. For the other six months let her live with her mother, on earth. . . and let no one argue with the judgment of Zeus.
And that is why, in the summertime, the flowers bloom, the grass is green, and the trees wear blossom, then leaves, then fruit. Demeter, Persephone’s mother, is rushing happily here and there, tending the earth like a garden. When she and her daughter walk hand in hand, talking, singing and laughing, the evening primroses open just to see them pass by.
But in the autumn, Persephone travels down to the underworld. The underworld is much brighter and warmer in the six winter months. But up on the earth Demeter is missing her daughter. The trees flush red with calling Persephone’s name and then drop their leaves. The flowers wither. The crops stop growing and the people of the earth wait for Persephone to return with spring.
Persephone and the Pomegranate seeds
ReplyDeleteHow I love these flowers, I thought to myself. I must go home now. My belt of flowers is full. But maybe a few ore could fit in. I’ll try. There is a nice patch! It was a beautiful day today. The trees ripe fruit and the flowers bloomed. But I had that feeling, the one when you are being watched. I closed my eyes to sniff in one of the flowers and somebody grabbed me!
“Who are you?! What do you want with me!? Let Me GO! Mother help me! Mother!” I shrieked but the mysterious person didn’t care.
“COME BACK! LEVE HER ALONE!” shrieked the trees. There leaves flushed red with anger. Wait a minute; it was Pluto the king of the underworld!
“Don’t cry.” He told me “I shall make you my queen! Be happy! I’ll give you all the riches of the Earth: silver, gold, gems. You have the love of a king, what more do you want?”
But Pluto didn’t know that even if he gave me all the riches of the world, he still wouldn’t win my love and I would still want to go back to my mother. “I want to go home, to my mother!!”
We finally reached the River Styx. Mother had told me about it. She said it is were good things part from bad things. Were Good and evil don’t mix. Were kind and cruel are enemies. Were Earth is separated from the Underworld.
“River save me please! I’m presephone. Help me!” the river heard me and wrapped the eater round Pluto’s leg but Pluto just kicked it aside like a football. I quickly undid my belt and threw it into the water.
“Take these to my mother! Tell her what happened!”
I saw my belt surfing downt the river. I was suddenly I a black box. Down, down, down in the Underworld with my kidnaper.
He laid a meal fit for kings. It all looks delicious. But I couldn’t eat. I was too sad.
“Come on darling eat something.”
“I’m to miserable to eat.” I answered “Let me go! Why won’t you let me go? It’s too dark down here!”
“ But you have to eat my dear. Just try something.” He held up lots of food.
“I’d rater die than eat your food!” even though I was hungry
“just one little bite, come on!” he forced my hand open and dropped the pomegranate seeds in my hand. Just six. I’ll have just six.
“STOP!” it was Hermes coming to save me!
“Noble Pluto, Zeus the almighty commands you to let Persephone go! Or am I too late....?”
“Yes, yes you are too late!” crowed Pluto. What were they talking about?
“No what do you mean?” I asked
“Have you eaten anything?” Hermes asked.
“She did, she did!”
“Only a few! What difference does it make?”
“Pluto you are aright rascal!” Said Hermes “ I’m sorry Persephone. There is this rule. You have accepted his food- his hospitality. So you have to stay here forever!” said Hermes.
“Then I’ll hate you forever Pluto!” I shrieked “because you lied to me!”
“I only stole you away because I was lonely” Pluto said
“Let Zeus decide!” said Hermes
So Zeus decided that because I ate 6 seeds I have to stay there for six months. And the other with my mother. I have learnt to love Pluto and he loves me back!
Hi I am Demeter.
ReplyDeleteOne afternoon I was fertilizing the earth whilst my daughter was piching violets from the green woods of Sicily.That day I called her at the top of my voice she came out of the green grass and tree and we set of for home hand in hand.
After that hard working day I sat on the waking grass as I said good bye I lay down and had a small nap befor my hard day ahead.
When I got out of my small sleep I had to get to work as fast as I could to help the plants and animals grow.I woked my hardest and after the day had gone I started for home and to find my daughter.I was standing outside of the woods and once agian I called her at the top of my voice but she did not come so I called agian and agian but she did not come out so I went in I looked for an hour then sat by the river under a tree of my making when I saw her belt on the top of the river.The river stared to spek to me telling me that she was taken by Pluto had taken her to his kingdom. So I ran up the mount Olympus and nokked at the door ‘Zeus Zeus’ I shouted ‘Pluto has taken my daughter to his kingdom to be his queen.So Zeus told his fasted messenger to get her back up here on earth with me so I can grow the crops.
When I got told that she had eaten food down there I was in shok but Zeus said that she was going to live 6 mounths down there and 6 mounths up here with me.
So that is why hafe the year is cold and hafe is warm.
I am Pluto and I rule over the kingdom of Death. It’s so cold and dark in the Underworld. So one day I went out hiding in the brim or the underworld and saw pretty woman work, it just hurt my eyes. Then the other time I saw the prettiest woman I have ever seen picking violets cheerfully. I thought yes this is the one , this is the girl I have been waiting for!! She shall be my beloved wife. I will steal her for my delight. I went to harness my horses and the chariot. I whipped my horses and went out at full speed. When I got near Persephone I put the reins in my mouthed and snatched her by her long beautiful hair. She screamed!!! I told her that she would be happy and she will be my wife. But she kept sobbing, I didn’t know why! She cried to the river to get her out but she won’t get out of my sight. The river tried to trip me but it didn’t work. I finally reached home with my new wife!
ReplyDeletePersephone and the Pomgranate Seeds
ReplyDeleteHi I am Hermes and I will tell you of one of the most interesting messenger tasks that I experienced.
I heard a bellow from Mt. Olympus and knew it was Zeus the king of gods. "Dermeter's little girl, Persephone had been taken my that wicked Pluto!"
"Poor girl...What do you want me to do about it, sir?"
"I want you to go to the Underworld and tell Pluto that you have strict orders to take Persephone back to Dermeter. But hurry! If Persephone eats anything in the Underworld, she will have to stay there forever!"
I strapped on my best winged sandals and I darted off to rescue Persephone. The earth split and I went to Pluto's gloomy palace!
When I arrived in that wretched place, I zoomed off to the palace and I was astonished to see that Persephone had eaten 6 out of 12 pomgranate seeds! If only I had been here a bit faster!
When I told Persephone that she had to stay there forever she burst into endless tears, the poor girl. I felt sorry for her so I told Pluto we could go to Mt. Olympus and see what Zeus says.
When we arrived in Mt. Olympus Zeus and the other gods were there. "Is it true that you ate in the Underworld, child?" Zeus asked with a worried look.
"Only siz pomgranate seeds and Pluto didn't tell me that I would have to stay forever!" She sobbed.
"I have come up with a decision!" Zeus announced, "Since Persephone ate six pomgranate seeds...She will stay in the Underworld for six months each year and the other six with her mother, Dermeter. Case closed!" I was happy that all this was over...I wonder what other adventures I will have! Until then, bye for now!
mgranate seeds..