One day I sat down to write a dramatized version of what it might have been like waking up in Eden, in a brand new unfamiliar body experiencing everything for the very first time. Written in the third person. Purely another exercise in writing but a piece I wanted to add to my compendium of many works. Hope you enjoy!
Air filled his nostrils and he became self aware. He inhaled deeply, his first breath. It was pleasing and satisfied the craving of his oxygen starved lungs. Oh the smell! Sweet as a garden with a variety of flowers randomly displaying their beauty and aura. A diffused, pleasant light filled his eyes. A wondrous plethora of colors and shapes swiftly began to come into focus. Where was he? What was he? He arose from his bed of earthen foliage, stood up and absorbed the visual stimulation coming from every direction. Tall, slim objects projecting from where he stood. Various shapes and sizes. They all seemed to have a similar design. Large projections at the base with smaller, multiple projections thrust themselves upward and outward. Smaller yet were thousands of tiny flat objects painted in various colors attached randomly to the larger objects. Hanging between these in a wondrous display of beauty were cylindrical objects of proportional mass to the mans hands. The man noticed a certain tree in the middle of the garden. Similar to the rest but different. This one seemed to have a compelling attraction to it. Oh, and it's projections, they were a thing to behold.
The sounds of many things moving became apparent. He could not see these or smell them. They seemed to be absorbed through his head, somehow. The sound of something flowing over the ground. Something visibly clear but with palpable substance. It flowed within a cavity at a certain width and depth. It moved at a brisk pace, never faster, never slower. Without thinking, he plunged his hand below the clear surface. The substance enveloped his hand in direct proportion to the depth at which dared to venture. It felt different. It was cool and was moving. It had life and teemed with brilliant reflections. He removed his hand and brushed it against his mouth. Taste, a sensation discovered in a moment of clumsiness. He wanted more. This was good. He cupped his hands, brought them close to his face and took his first drink. It was a substance that was tasteless yet had a flavor which quenched his deep thirst. He stood up and looked to the distance. He followed this river of taste as far as he could see until it split and divided into four divided rivers.
He was not alone. Many small creatures approached him throughout the first time period. They were as curious about him as he was about them. There were creeping things slithering and sliding about. Beasts with four appendages roamed to and fro in various sizes and shapes. Some small enough to hold, others as large as anything he had yet seen. Living creatures flew about in the void between heaven and earth gathering various objects for a definite purpose. Some came close enough to touch. They felt different, not like him. Some were soft and fluffy, others were hard and rough. That was not all. Each and every creature had a unique sound which helped the man identify where they were and how close they were. Deep, rich sounds which echoed through the garden. Others were melodic, soothing and comforting. There was peace in this place. He was unknowingly naked but perfectly comfortable.
He had thoughts but did not have the words to express them. Questions, so many questions to ask. So much knowledge to gain. At this point man was not yet self centered, although his environment seemed to be centered around him. He was as innocent as he was inexperienced.
"Adam!"
This was a new sound. He had never heard it but he understood it. How could this be?
"Adam, where are you?"
He was compelled to speak but had never spoken. What was he to say and why!
"I am here, Lord."
The words flowed with ease. Neurons fired and thoughts became reality. How was this possible. It was not learned, it was inbred.
"Are you pleased with the garden I created for you?" asked The Lord.
"Yes, Lord. It is pleasing in every way. I want for nothing, I am overwhelmed." said the man.
"I have given you the name Adam for you are the first of your kind. I have placed you in my garden I have created for you to dress it and to keep it." instructed The Lord.
Adam was physically an adult yet he was a child in experience and maturity. Naturally, he sought more information on these new expectations placed on him. The seed of the garden would need to be distributed properly as would the shoots require training for full development of the plant. Little did he realize that the work involved in this would contribute to his happiness and the structure of his body and mind.
The Lord continued, "Adam, I have placed two trees at the center of the garden. You are to take special note of these trees as I have placed special significance on them. They are to be identified as the tree of life and the tree of knowledge. Adam, understand that I have written my law on the tablet of your heart with the exception of one. I am giving you one command today that you are to honor and obey above all else."
Adam listened intently as a child looks up to his father seeking direction. The Lord commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Beyond Eden lay riches of gold and spices and precious stones, but Eden herself had that which was infinitely better. It had the tree of life, and communion with The Creator. Adam need only trust his creator, the one who knew him, the one who knit him together, to believe that He knew what was best for him. Adam was growing quickly in knowledge but was still childlike.
"Adam"
"I am here, Lord"
"I am about to present to you every beast of the field and every bird of the sky. Whatever you will call them that will be there name for all eternity" said The Lord.
Adam gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field. His mind was as fertile and rich as any mind which would ever be created. He did not struggle nor did he hesitate. His mind had been infused with wisdom and knowledge from the beginning. Experience, that was another issue. That would be learned by doing.
The Lord had formed Adam from the very dust of the ground. He was a masterpiece of creation formed in the very image of God Himself. He was not a god himself, but he was designed with remarkable precision and all the necessary apparatus to enable communication and fellowship with The Lord.
It was The Lord Himself who breathed the very breath of life into his nostrils and the man had become a living being.
Adam had been provided companionship, food, comfort and a home. He walked with The Lord in the cool of the afternoon, receiving daily wisdom and fellowship. Yet a suitable helper for him was nowhere to be found. Someone like him but different. His spirit received daily fellowship with The Lord yet he longed for a companion who could meet other needs stirring deep within his soul. The Lord was certainly not ignorant of this fact. He knew that fellowship with his kind was necessary and beneficial for his emotional and physical well being.
So The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept like he had never slept before. Adam's companion would not be created from the dust of the earth. In fact, his companion would be created from his very own flesh. He had no choice in the matter as The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. He was in a sound sleep that he might not feel any pain. The Lord removed one of Adam's ribs and closed up the flesh from where it was removed. It was a sacrifice however small and insignificant. The LORD God fashioned another being similar to Adam from the rib which He had taken from him and brought her to the man.
She was like him. She was beautiful in form and caused him to draw closer. Her hair glistened in the light of day and flowed down to the nape of her back. His fixed his gaze upon her face and could not remove it. He did not want to. Adam had gained sufficient knowledge in language in his many conversations with The Lord and now had the opportunity to employ it himself. From his perspective he had been sole owner, keeper and dresser of the garden, alone and unaided.
The man said, "I am Adam. Welcome." He had been given authority, instinctively knowing to protect and comfort his new visitor. "I will call you Eve."
She reached out her hand to touch his face. It was smooth like hers. She had been drawn to him like he to her. They were unaware of their nakedness. It was a non-issue.
This was paradise. Together, in communion, and at one with their Creator.
A paradise that would shortly be lost.
Jim Richardson
Well written, Jim. I totally enjoyed it.