Chapter 17 - Page 254 - Trouble In Chicago

   Jim had read most of the Bible to them, including the story about Adam and Eve. He said, "Do you remember the story of how God created the heavens and the earth?" When both girls nodded, he continued. "Several days later, God made man from the dust of the ground. He took a rib from the man and made him a wife. They were called Adam and Eve."

   Rhasha and Shanha liked the story about Adam and Eve. They listened to every word as Jim told the story. "God told Adam and Eve they could eat the fruit of every tree in the garden, except the fruit of one tree. God commanded them not to eat the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden, or they would die."

   "What kind of fruit was it?"

   "The Bible doesn't say, Shanha," Jim replied, "so nobody knows."

   "So what about the snake?" Rhasha asked.

   "The snake-and, I assume, all the animals at that time-could talk to Adam and Eve."

   Shanha opened her eyes wide at that. "All the animals could talk to people?"

"The Bible doesn't say all the animals could talk. The snake could talk to Eve, so I would think all the animals could." Not wanting them to get hung up about talking animals, he said, "I do know that the snake could talk. The Bible said the snake was the most subtle of all the creatures of the field."

   Rhasha and Shanha looked thoughtfully at the snakes inside the glass cages. Jim turned around to look at the poisonous vipers too, but continued to tell his story. "The snake tempted Eve to eat the fruit that God said not to eat. The snake told Eve that if she ate of the fruit, she would not die. He said she would be like God, and know good and evil."