Adam's First Day

ADAM'S FIRST DAY

"Hi."

"Mumph"

"Sorry. I wasn't thinking. Now you can speak."

Cowering, the man looked this way and that. All he could say at first was "What?" as his hands ran over his face and touched his chest. Looking apprehensively at the figure before him he asked, "Who are you?"

"I am God."

"What's that?"

"I created everything. I know everything. I created you."

"What did you make me for?"

"To be here."

"Where's here?"

"The Garden of Eden."

The man surveyed the landscape, a quizzical look still on his face. "Seems nice. What exactly is this? What are all these things?"

"These are the plants and animals and waters of your world. A special world made just for you."

"My world? I didn't know I needed a world. I don't seem to remember needing or thinking of anything. Is this world also for all these other things, too?"

"Somewhat, but you're special. Different. I made you in my image. Notice how you look like me?"

"Sort of. I don't have a..." He touches his chin."

"Ah, a beard. No, you don't"

"Why?"

"You just don't. Someday you will."

"So, that's a beard?" The man flicked a creature crawling up his leg. In the process he looked down. First he moved one leg then the other and then his two arms but couldn't move his other appendage.

And God saw his dilemma. "We'll get to that later."

"So," the man said, "you're God. Who am I?"

"You're Adam."

"What's an Adam?

"That's what I named you. That's what you'll be called. When you hear it you'll know someone is talking to you."

Adam turned to a bird sitting in a small bush. "Hi, I'm Adam. Who are you?" The bird chirped and flew away. "I don't understand," he said.

"The animals and plants don't speak. They're just here for you."

"So, who's going to call me Adam?"

"You'll see"

"Did you make any more of me?"

"Nope, just you. You're the first."

Adam pointed at the animals and plants around him. "Those the first, too?"

"Very first."

"Were you the first?"

"You could say that, but I've always been here."

"Doing what?"

"Nothing. Just being.

"So you simply decided to make all this? Bored?"
"No, just, well, to do it. Just wanted beings in my likeness."

"Are you saying they'll be others here too?"

"Eventually."
"You'll create them?"

"Actually, you will. But I'll get into that later."

"So, what's this?" Adam pointed at the thin green shapes on a plant.

"The leaves of a plant. All these plants are here for you to tend to. And the animals that abound here, you have dominion over them. You will name them all."

"All of them?" Adam looked around. "Like what kind of name."

"Whatever you like. You name them, that's their name forever."

Adam furrowed his brow and glimpsed flocks of birds, animals rushing about, insects. "How long's this going to take?"

"You have plenty of time." God pointed towards a field. "How about that animal over there?"

Adam said "Cow." God nodded. "That animal next to it looks different."

"New name.'

"Elephant."

"Wonderful."

"Where am I getting these names?"

"Who cares."

"Every animal that looks like that gets the same name? How can you then tell one from the other?"

"You don't. They're all elephants. They don't deserve different names. They're all alike."

"So you made all this?"

"Every bit of it. The animals and plants and things that fly and swim and the lights in the sky, the sun and moon, and the stars. And all of this is for you."

"Any particular reason?"

"Seemed like a good idea."

"Take you long?"

"Six days." God had a pleased look on his face.

"Really. What's a day? What's a six?"

"Six is a number." God held up six fingers, but he could see Adam didn't quite get it. "I'll let you figure all that out on your own. A day is the time it takes for the Earth to spin one time."

"Where's the Earth?

"You're on it."

"We're spinning?"

"Yes, but you can't feel it. They'll be two parts to the day. Night and day."

"So when the Earth spins once it's a day. How many spins for a night?"

"No, it's all called a day. One spin. Just broken into two parts."

"I see. Maybe we can go over this again later. What's a night?"

"It'll be dark. That sun in the sky,' God pointed up, "will be gone."

Adam looked up and squinted. "What is it?"

"It gives you light, otherwise you couldn't see things. And nothing would grow."

"Why get rid of it?"

"Sometimes the Earth blocks it. One good thing is it'll help you sleep."

"Sleep?"

"Yes, you can't keep going without it. It's quite nice. You close your eyes and everything goes dark, the world goes away sort of, and in the morning you'll be ready to do things."

"Sounds nice. But you don't think it would be simpler to let me just be awake all the time, not need sleep? Just move the Earth a bit and it wouldn't get in the way of the sun."

"Things don't work that way. Anyway, you're built so you get tired, sleepy. It's the way it is."

"Seems complicated. You've planned this whole thing out, right?"

"It's all from right up here." God tapped his head.

"What's up there?"

"Thoughts."

"Do I have thoughts?"

"You do."

"Then I can create elephants?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you're not me. I'm God, The God. Creator of all things..."

"Yes, yes I know that, but why can't I do these things?"

"There can only be one Creator."

"I look like you, made in your image, but I'm something else?"

"Excellent."

"And that means?"

"It means you've created an understanding. You're learning, but you needn't do too much thinking. I mean you've got everything here so what's the need. This garden I've created is perfect"

"So, what exactly do I do here?"

"You'll make more people. And all of you will worship me. And pretty much enjoy yourself."

"I see." Adam rubbed his beardless chin. "How long will we keep making these people?"

"Forever, although the others will help, too. You'll probably never die." God looked away and stroked his beard.

"Dying is?"

"Don't concern yourself right now. Probably never happen."
Adam bit his lip. "Ok." He looked around. "Is this all there is to this place?"

"Oh, no. The Garden is fairly large."

"If we keep making people, won't it fill up?"

"We'll see."

"Why not make it big enough?"

"There's more room outside Eden, but I want you here."

"Fly."

"What?"

"That's what I'm naming this animal that keeps landing in my ear."

"Very good."

"So, a little overbuilding there?"

"Well, we'll see how things go."

"You see problems?"

"You never know."

"So, tell me, what's all this for?" Adam asked walking along a narrow path between the trees stopping near a stream.

"You'll need it. To enjoy it." God plucked a banana from a tree. "To build a shelter and to eat."

"Eat?"

God began peeling the banana. Finished he handed it to Adam. Adam stared at it and then back at God. God pointed to his mouth and poked his finger in and made a chewing motion.

"Really," Adam said. He took a bite and gave a pleasant noise. "It's good. If I don't eat bananas, what will happen?"

"Bananas and other things. Nothing, I suppose, but you have to eat. You'll get hungry."

"How long do I have to keep eating?"

"Just a little, couple times a day." God pulled down an orange. Adam took a bite. "You'll want to peel that first," God pointed out. Adam stared at him and spit out the peeling.

"So my time will be spent eating and sleeping. Oh, yes, and making other people."

"And worshipping me."

"Of course. Will you be sticking around?"

"Not really, but you can call upon me."

"To do what?"

"Well, if you get in trouble, stuff like that."

"What kind of trouble?"

"I can't really think of anything. This is Eden, you know."

"Can I go out into the rest of the Earth?"

"I don't see why. You wouldn't like it."

"Anybody out there?"

"No one."

"Well, hey, this is your creation. So, where will you be going to?

"Heaven."

"Anything like Eden?"

"It's very nice."

"Will I go there?" God shook his head. "No need to."

"Don't want any company, I suppose?" Adam took down another banana. "What other kind of fruit will I eat?"

God sat pensively on a rock and stroked his beard. "All kinds. All of the plants here are for you eat. All except one."

"What's that?"

"The fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

"Why?"

"Just don't."

"Taste bad?"

"No. Look, I'll lay it on the line. Eat from that tree and you'll die. Just stay away from the tree."

"There's that dying again. What exactly is it?"

"How can I put it, you'll stop moving and be buried and turn back to dirt, the stuff under your feet. By the way, that's where you came from."

"I'm dirt?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds."

"Actually it is, but no matter. So, how will I know that's the tree?"

"I'll be showing it to you. It's in the center of Eden."

"Pretty bad stuff, huh?"

"Just don't want you near it."

"What if you hadn't stuck it here? No problem then, right?"

"It's got to be here."

"Well, this is all new to me. I'll go along with what you want. Now, about this thing of me creating others. I mean, you're leaving, I'm going to be here all alone, can't create more of me with my thoughts, what's the deal?"

"You'll need a woman."

"And that is?"

"You, but different."

"How different?"

"She'll look different. Act a bit differently. And it's with her you'll be making more of both of you."

"I don't like to be always questioning, but why don't you just make lots of us on your own. You made me. I guess you'll make her. Make a bunch of us. Just a suggestion."

"This is the way I want it. What do you say we get started on making a woman?"

"Can I watch?"

"I'm afraid not. I'll have to put you to sleep."

"Before it's night?"

"You can sleep anytime."

"I'm not tired."

"You'll sleep. Once you are I'll take out a rib and make a woman out of it."

"No dirt?"

"Not this time. Nothing will come from dirt from now on."

"I'm the only one made of dirt. Oh well. Will I miss that rib?"

"Won't notice it at all. Ready? Won't hurt a bit."

"Sure."

Immediately Adam fell into a deep sleep and, as though no time had passed, he awoke.

"All done. There she is." God pointed behind Adam.

Adam turned and stood up. A black-haired woman stared at him."

"Adam checked his rib cage. "Hi," he spoke softly. "I'm Adam. This is God."

"What's that?" the woman asked. "Where am I?"

"He made all this, me, you, the trees, elephants..." an animal hopped past them, "...rabbits." The woman kept staring. "Oh, sorry, I've named some of these animals, but there are more to name. You can do a lot of them. Said we were to get together to make a lot more of us. Don't have all the details yet. This is the Garden of Eden. What's your name?"

The woman stared. God said to Adam, "You name her." A few thoughts ran through Adam's mind, aardvark, caterpillar, squirrel, but they didn't seem right and quite quickly he came up with, "Eve." He pointed at her. "Eve."

"Why Eve?" Eve asked.

"Don't ask me. I just keep coming up with these names."

"Nice place," Eve said, looking around. "Why am I here?"

Adam caught God rolling his eyes, put up a hand to let him know he'd handle it, and quickly explained all he had learned. While he did God strolled amongst the trees. When he returned he caught the last bit of conversation.

"...from a rib. Really? And you're from dirt. We do seem to be different." Eve turned to God as he returned. "So we're to be worshipping you. Fine. Let us know how you want it done as soon as you tell us what worshipping is. Adam wasn't quite clear on how we'll be making more people."

God stroked his beard. "To worship just say nice things to me and do what I tell you." Adam and Eve looked at each other. "Now, as to making more people, you'll lie together and you'll get feelings and you'll touch certain areas. That'll get you wanting to do more and changes will occur in your bodies and...well...take this banana and this flower. A lily." He brought them together. "Make you think of anything?"

"You lost me there, God," Adam spoke up.

God pointed to between Adam's and Eve's legs and raised his white, bushy eyebrows. "See what I mean?"

Adam and Eve glanced at each other. Adam rubbed his cheek. Eve kept looking at the banana and flower. Her eyes then widened. "You've got to be kidding!" she exclaimed.

Adam looked perplexed. Eve spoke into his ear. "So that's your plan instead of making people yourself," he said. "Exactly how long did you plan this?"

"Don't worry you'll like it, although I hope you don't go overboard." He looked at Eve. "Inside of you there will form a baby."

"Which is a...?"

"A small one of either of you. It'll come out and there will be another person. Sometimes a boy sometimes a girl. Takes about nine months."

Eve gave a little chuckle and pointed to her groin. God nodded. "Interesting method," she said. "Nothing easier came to you?"

"It'll work. No problem, just do the things I tell you to do."

"You know best." Eve sighed. "By the way, what's a month?"

"Thirty or so days." God paused. "Adam will fill you in."

"So," Eve went on, "no eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

"Nope."

"You shouldn't have put it here if its so bad."

"You know, that's just what I said," Adam replied examining the banana and flower. "Actually, I don't even know what evil is."

"Of course not," God said. "Evil is bad and if you know it, well, you might do bad things."

"What's a bad thing?" Eve asked.

"Things you shouldn't do. You don't know about them, you won't do them. Don't worry."

"What's something good?" Adam asked.

"Most everything. I've made this place to be a good thing. Just stay away from that tree."

"Anything else we should know?" Eve asked

"No, I guess not. Enjoy Eden. Multiply, Worship me. Take care of the place. I'll stroll around here from time to time to help out. You have any other questions call on me and I'll get an answer to you. Things should pretty much take care of themselves, however."

With that God bade them a good-bye and walked off into the trees letting birds land on his shoulders.

"Well," Adam said, "what do you want to do? Want to start multiplying?"

"Not right now."