od said, "Just look at all them stars, Gabe. How many you think there are out there?"
"Four thousand and one," I said.
"Not even close," God said. "But how in the world did you come up with a figure like that?"
"Easy. There are 4,000 visible to the naked eye, and I throwed in one extra in case I miscounted."
"You know, Gabe, you're about half smart. But here's something you may not know. If you was to jump out there to the last star you can see and look around, you'd still see as many as you can from here. And then if you jumped out to the last star you could see from there, there would still be just as many, and on and on."
"Well, how many stars are there then?"
"A bunch of them."
"Shoot, I bet you don't know either," I told him
"How many ain't important. Where they end is. I want to know just how big this place I created is. And that's what I intend to find out."
"We're going all the way out to the end?"
"I am, not you," God said. "You can't move as fast as me and you'd just slow me down."
"How long you think you'll be gone? Maybe I'd better report back to old Michael. He's probably got something for me to do while you're away. He likes to keep us busy."
"No, don't do that. Stay here and keep an eye on things. Stretch out in the shade of that walnut tree yonder and rest your eyes. I'll make that a command so as to satisfy old Michael in case he ever inquires."
So that's where I was when I heard the Serpent. Now, the Serpent was the smartest of all the beasts in Eden and not bad looking and by far the most likable. Had a kind word for everybody. It was him speaking to Mrs. Hippopotamus that woke me. She was taking her little one to the river for a swim.
"Why, hi-do, Madam," he said, bowing politely. "My, don't you look nice. I do believe you've lost a pound or two, not that you need to, because you're looking especially lovely today. And Junior there is just growing like a bean stalk. And how's the mister? Give him my regards and tell him I said he'd better treat you right or I might just come steal you away. Well, have a good swim now, you hear?" And he patted her lightly on the rump.
Mrs. Hippo tittered and sashayed off, grinning from ear to ear. And it wasn't long until here come the woman with a basket on her arm.
The Serpent bowed even lower and said, "Afternoon, Ma'am. Nice day."
"Why, every day is nice in Eden," the woman said and batted her eyes.
"Haw, haw, haw! Got old Serpent on that one, didn't you? Now, who'd think a sweet little thing like you would have such a smart head on them pretty shoulders. 'Every day is nice in Eden,' she says. Haw, haw, haw! That's rich. Well, tell me, pretty lady, where are you off to with your basket?"
"I'm out gathering things for supper."
"Hey, I'm not doing anything right now, I'll just help you. Be a shame to see them pretty little fingers all stained." And he took her hands and held them up and kissed each one. "There are a lot of berry bushes around. I don't suppose you're allowed to pick fruit off of any of the trees, are you?"
"Oh, yes," the woman said. "We can pick from any tree in the Garden except one."
"And which one is that?" the Serpent asked. He let go of one of her hands and slipped an arm around her waist.
"Why, that one right over there, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil."
"This one?" And he led her over and settled her on the soft grass underneath and set down beside her. "This fine tree?"
"God told Adam, don't eat it, don't even touch it, or you die."
"But I'll bet he didn't tell you," the Serpent said, running his fingers up and down her spine.
"No." She shivered a little and laughed.
The Serpent reached up and plucked a fruit, held it by its stem and twirled it slowly. "You won't die, sweet thing," he said softly. "No, you won't die. You'll find yourself more alive than ever. Your eyes will be opened. You'll be like the gods, knowing good and evil. And you'll have pleasure like you've never known before."
He held the fruit closer. The woman could see the rich pink color of the swelling flesh, the beads of moisture on the skin. Slowly she arched her back, parted her lips, stretched up and tasted the fruit. It was delightful. She tasted it again and again.
