"Yes. Emotions ran high back then. So, when did you learn to shapeshift? None of us knew you could do that."
"There were many things I could do once I figured them out... After all, I am my Father’s daughter."
Lilith thought about the many times Dis had taken on different shapes and appearances for his own reasons. He had even done an Elvis impression at Yemaya’s last performance.
"Exactly,"
said the Child, reading her thoughts. "
It’s wasn't hard once I figured out the details. When Eve discovered I could talk, she was ecstatic. Up until then, Adam was the only thing she could talk to. All of the other animals had their own languages. Once, she confided in me that she was growing bored with her existence. That's when I knew I had her."
"Had her?"
"Yes. I began talking about the Underworld and its inhabitants. Eve was like a sponge, soaking up every word I spoke. I would mention something and she wanted me to describe it in great detail. She thirsted for knowledge. It was like an addiction and I was her fix. She asked about me... about the demons... how many there were... how many angels... how everything came to be. What I didn't know, I made up. Every day I visited with her and we'd talk. Of course, I never let her know I was a demon. She thought I was just another of the Twin's creations... otherwise she would have told Adam. In time, she began to ask me how I knew so much. That was the opening I was waiting for. I told her about the Tree of Knowledge and how I had been created to protect it from the undeserving."
"And she believed you?"
"Why wouldn't she. Eve was perfect. I think that was the Twin's greatest mistake. Her perfection left her flawed. She had no reason or ability to doubt me."
"That's true. Dis always said the innocent were the easiest to deceive because they were the first to believe. Eve was proof of that, I guess."
The Child hesitated before continuing with her story, sensing a change in her mother's mental state.
"
Whatever it is, there is nothing you can do to change it,"
Lilith said trying to reassure her.
"
I know. I guess this is the hardest part. It was the beginning of the downfall of Paradise. At the time, I didn’t give much thought about the consequences of what I was doing."
"You were a child."
"I wasn't that young, Mother. Nor was I innocent. I just wanted to teach Adam a lesson he would never forget... that's why I told Eve that he had eaten from the Tree of Knowledge."
"Adam never ate from the Tree."
"True! But she didn’t know that. I planted the seed of doubt in her. After all, did she not wait on him hand and foot? And wasn’t he the one who taught her the names of everything in Paradise? And answered her questions?"
"He and I knew them from the day we were created."
"But Eve didn’t. The Twin let Adam teach her. Perhaps it was his way of keeping her subservient... or he just thought it would give them both something to do. Anyway, it didn't take long for her to become suspicious of both Adam and the Twin, wondering why she wasn’t offered the fruit if he was. Then I told her about you."
"You told her about me? That was cruel!"
Lilith didn't know whether to be angry or impressed at her daughter's ingenuity.
"At the time, I hated her. I despised her innocence... I resented her subservience to Adam and most of all, I think I hated myself because I was growing fond of her. She was so nice and trusting. Later, I felt sorry for her. She was happy and I destroyed that. Anyway, the more I talked about you, the more she felt... cheated. It was only a matter of time before I convinced her to take a bite of the fruit, just a small one. I can remember it as if it were only yesterday."
A
S IF WATCHING a movie on fast forward, Lilith saw images flashing across her mind, some so quick they were nothing more than blurs, while others gave her small glimpses of the Child's lonely existence. Unfortunately, she didn’t have enough time to analyze the scenes. Suddenly the visions stopped and then moved slowly forward playing out the scene.
"What will Father say?" asked Eve, referring to the Twin.
"He won't know," replied the small serpent, coiled loosely over a limb, her head within inches of Eve's. Glancing around to make sure Adam wasn't coming, she continued to coax Eve. "It won't hurt you. I promise. Look at me. I was given a bite when Father created me so I would know why it needed to be guarded and how I had to do it. Adam was given a bite before you were created so he could teach you about Paradise."
"But, why would Father not give me a bite... and why tell me it was forbidden?"
"I can't tell you. Father made me promise."
"Tell me what... and why would he do that?"
The serpent shifted her position slightly as if suddenly uncomfortable.
"To keep you innocent. That way Adam will always be the one to answer your questions and you will always be together."
"I don't understand." Eve said, hurt at the thought that Father deliberately kept knowledge from her and made it so she would always be dependent on Adam.
"I'm sure it was in your best interests at the time. Father loves you... and after all, Lilith knew everything; Adam knew, and look what happened... she was kicked out of Paradise for standing up to him."
"Lilith?"
"Adam's first wife."
Eve frowned.
"I'm his first wife."
"No, you're his second. Father made Lilith when he created Adam. They were equals."
"What happened to her? Why isn't she here instead of me?"
The serpent quickly told her about her predecessor and how she was kicked out of paradise for wanting to be treated as Adams equal.
"That wasn't right. If she was made the same way he was, she was truly his equal... unlike me. This means I'm only a substitute for her."
If ever there was a moment the Child would have stopped, it was then. The tears in Eve's eyes made her feel guilty... but her hatred for Adam was too strong to allow her any weaknesses. The serpent sighed.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything," said the serpent, lowering its head so Eve couldn't see the glee in its eyes.
"No. Please. I suspected something wasn't right. Adam's little games were starting to annoy me... and I had grown bored with our lovemaking. It's always the same and leaves me feeling empty."
"That's a shame. There is so much more to making love than a physical union, especially if you're just doing it in only one position. I'm surprised he never told you."
"Maybe he was afraid I would want to be his equal... and no longer lie beneath him. I bet that's it."
"Maybe. That was the reason he and Lilith argued. Eve, I know I gave Father my word that I'd never disclose the secret of the Tree but... well... I feel you have been misled. It's not right that you don't enjoy the same advantages that Adam was given."
Eve sighed.
"Don't feel bad. It's not your fault. Adam could have told me."
"He was probably afraid you'd want what he had."
"He's right. I would, but I don't think he or Father would let me eat one of the fruit."
"You're probably right."
A slight hesitation followed and then the serpent continued.
"I'll grant you one bite."
"No. You're my friend. I won't do anything to get you in trouble."
"You won't. I promise."
"But Father... won't he know?"
"No. I am the keeper of the Tree and the protector of the fruit. I'll conceal the bite with my body. Father will never know."
"I don't know," Eve said wavering slightly.
"Eve. You're my friend. I feel I must do this. It's only fair that you enjoy the same knowledge as Adam. I'll be fine."
Uncoiling its body, the serpent slithered across a limb and wrapped itself around a large golden fruit. Nudging it with its nose, it swung it toward Eve.
"You must take the bite quickly but don’t pluck it from the Tree. Father will know if one of the fruit is missing."
Eve nodded. Leaning close, she tentatively placed her teeth against the shiny skin. As her teeth slowly penetrated the fruit, she felt the sweet juice flowing into her mouth. It was heavenly. Unable to resist, she bit off a small chunk and then jumped back, expecting to hear the loud thunder of Father's anger... a sure sign he knew what she had done. When nothing happened, she chewed a few times and swallowed. Almost immediately, she felt a warmth growing in her stomach and then spread rapidly throughout her body. Strange images flashed through her mind and she closed her eyes trying to understand what they meant. When she finally opened them, Paradise had forever changed.
"Why didn't he tell me?" she whispered, overwhelmed by the new information now available to her.
"Do you really need to ask?"
"No," Eve replied and then hesitated. "Yes. Yes I do. Thank you. You have given me a new reason to exist. Now I must confront Adam with what I know."
The serpent remained silent. The Child had accomplished what she wanted. Eve would do the rest.
Adam was lying near the lake when he noticed Eve walking rapidly in his direction. Standing up, he brushed the grass from his legs and buttocks and went to meet her.
"Hi."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?" he replied, confused.
"That you had eaten from the Tree."
"I've never eaten the fruit. It's forbidden."
"You're lying!"
"Lying? What is lying?"
"It means you haven't told me the truth. You know that! I want to know why!"
"I've always been truthful with you. Where did you get such an idea?"
"From the Tree. I see now that you and Father have intentionally kept me from acquiring knowledge so I would never be your equal. That's why Lilith left you, isn't it?"
"Lilith? How did you know about her?" demanded Adam.
"The same way you have learned about everything... from the Tree."
"Eve. I have
never
touched that Tree. You know Father would never allow it."
"I know he wants you to remain superior to me. All of this is nothing more than an illusion to keep you happy. I was made to keep you happy. Father never cared for me."
"Father loves you. You must believe me. I never ate the fruit."
"Prove it."
"How?"
"We'll go back to the Tree and you will take one bite."
"This is ridiculous. What is that going to prove?"
"It will prove you love me. If you don't, then I'll know you won't because you have already eaten one."
Adam shook his head.
"That makes no sense."
"It makes perfect sense. If you have already eaten the fruit, you know what it can do and you don't need to do it. If you haven't eaten it then you have no reason to refuse since you wouldn't know what to expect. I ate a bite and you don't see or hear Father, do you? Since he knows everything and if it were really forbidden, surely he'd be here by now."
Adam couldn't argue with her logic.
"Why won't you believe me?" he asked, hurt by her distrust.
"Why should I? All these years you've lead me around, teaching me things I should have known from the beginning... just like Lilith... just like you, Adam. I've brought you your food, run your errands, done everything you've asked. I even lie beneath you when we make love and you've never offered to reciprocate. Why is that?"