Part III: The Crime

(Play the music for ambience while reading the story)

Kafés considered the gods and goddesses that he could turn to for help. He always thought Poseidon was cool but he was not a fisherman so he did not think that would work. The goddess Aphrodite was popular but what was she going to do, flirt with the seeds until they grew? There was Hades but he doubted that they had a lot of plants in the Underworld. There was his wife, Persephone. She was a fertility goddess so she could surely help, but with her mandatory six months visit with Hades so she was off the table. Kafés was about ready to give up when he remembered who Persephone's mom was. Demeter! She was the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest! She really should have been his first thought but he was never the shiniest coin in the coin purse.

He began his search for Demeter. He had heard that she usually worked the field with nymphs so she should be easy to find. He was right about that. He quickly found the goddess in the field with her nymphs. He began to approach when a nymph appeared in front of him, "You should go. She is not in a good mood and you will only be disappointed."

He was taken aback. He should go? No! He needed this goddess' help and he was going to get it whether she was crabby or not! His ego was on the line after all. He pushed past the nymph and approached the goddess, "Excuse me? Please, oh gracious one, hel--" he begins his rehearsed plea but is interrupted by Demeter looking at him with a cold glare. If looks could kill, he would be dead before he had the chance to finish.

"Leave," the goddess says in a cold tone. Kafés stands there frozen in place. He was scared. The goddess rolls her eyes and barks at him the same order, "Leave! Can you really not understand a simple command? I am not doing any charity today. Come back later."

To Kafés' own surprise, he listens. He walks away from her and begins to leave. What was he doing?! He needed her help but he was walking away from her. He decides to be bold in at least a small way and snatches up some small brown beans from a basket that was set down by a nymph. No one noticed, or so he thought, so he left with them in his pockets.