Said the Serpent to Eve

                                                        John Robert Howell




 Serpent.  Yo toots!  I saw you taking a gander at the fruit on this handsome tree.  Words can't describe how good and sweet the fruit is.  You need to taste it for yourself.

 Eve.  He said we weren't even supposed to touch it, but it's sure yummy to look at.  I'll give you that.

 Serpent.  Why would He put it there if you weren't meant to nosh on it?  He may have gotten bored and wanted to test your reaction to my complimentary schmoozing and chipper talking up.

Eve.  Yes, and maybe there is good and then there is GOOD, and just maybe that fruit is only a tempting knockoff sort of good, something to appeal to "channels of sense, intellect, and aspirations."
[Dummelow via time warp.]

Serpent.  Sweetie, the fruit on this tree has more delights than a swiss army knife.  Talk about good!  You can whip up a fruit salad from this tree that would be the envy of a platoon of North Korean generals.  Irresistible, I'm sure you're going to find.

Eve.  Well, I can't deny I get a goose-bumpy tingle when I look at that tree, and every coruscating fruit has, I see, a little seal of approval from someone (in microscopic print.)  Still, He said don't think about touching it.

Serpent. Pshaw!  Quit being such a dweeb.  With an attitude like that you'll never get invited to a wingding or tapped for your own Reality show.  Maybe the Lord God only said, "Hands off" until He could open a Wal-Mart and you and that palooka over there could rustle up some duds to cover up the petty annoyance of guilt and shame.

Eve.  Guilt?  Shame?

Serpent.  Bon appetit!