In ancient Greece, Persephone, the maiden Goddess of the earth, was captured and held for a long time in the underworld. During that time, her mother the Earth herself, so missed her lovely spirit that she became barren, and a cold and sterile Ever-winter fell across the land.
When Persephone was finally released from the travails of hell, she returned to the earth with such joy, that every step of her bare foot that touched the barren ground mysteriously caused a swath of green and flowers to spread in every direction.