So Did They Live Happily Ever After?

With so much to charm and attract them, those daily strolls were a source of great joy. Sheila and Manley loved to natter and commune with each other as there was so much to marvel at and discuss. One day they met a most fascinating creature. Like many, if not all of the other animals, it was a delight to visit with him. Sheila in particular was entranced by his alluring personality. Although she couldn’t articulate it at the time, he seemed more worldly wise than any of their other companions.

          “I think, you should leave him alone,” Manley suggested. “He doesn’t seem trustworthy.”

      “Oh, but  he seems harmless enough,"Sheila protested, "And he is so attractive. His coat is more vibrant and unique than anything else we have seen so far.” But she tried to ignore the unfamiliar tightness in her chest whenever she stopped to chat with Lucifer Serpent.
       However, since Sheila didn’t want to displease Manley in any way, she made a point of slipping out to see Lucifer when he was occupied elsewhere.

        Lucifer had such a smooth way of talking that was enchanting. She was afraid of the power he had, but at the same time it irresistibly drew her back. Lucifer was gradually weaving a spell around her, although neither she nor her husband were aware of it.

       It came to pass in those days that the Father would take time to meet them in the evening. This was an exciting time, because without fail many questions would have developed in their minds throughout the day which they were looking forward to discussing.

        In the past, Sheila had enjoyed those enlivening conversations as much as Manley, but now, without hardly knowing it, she hadn’t as many questions to ask as formerly, and found herself distracted with thoughts of her next secret rendezvous with this beguiling creature. That was so much more fascinating than those lengthy discussions with their Father.

      So the days glided joyously by without hardly a ripple… except for Sheila’s secret addiction... One day while Manley was arranging profusely blooming morning glories and other vining flowers over the beautiful, new arbour he had built, Sheila sneaked away for a visit with Lucifer. This time Mr. Serpent plucked a shining gourd shaped fruit off the one tree the Father had forbidden them to eat from.

        “Have you ever taken a real close look at this gorgeous fruit?” he asked silkily.

           “Well, no, I, uh. No I haven’t.”

       “Here, hold it. Feels good in your hand, and just look at the remarkable coloring; purple and black stripes with highlights of silver.”
        Hesitantly Sheila reached out for it. It was remarkable; cool, shiny and smooth.

Then his voice turned honeyed, “Taste it, Sheila; just a little bite. You've always been such a curious person; this will help you to grasp all those mysteries you have been so intrigued with.”
        But the Father explains all that we need to know. For some reason that little voice inside her seemed very faint.

      Lucifer seemed to read her mind; “There are some things He does not want you to be attracted to, Sheila. But because you are so beautiful and intelligent, you desire to learn about them. He is being too strict; you aren’t a child anymore; you can handle the knowledge.”

         Lucifer gleefully observed through hooded eyes various emotions fluctuate across her face.

        “Come on, honey. One little bite won’t hurt. It won’t overwhelm you with too much knowledge of good and evil.” But just give you an insatiable desire for more, and more, and more…especially a curiosity, a lust, a passion for that which the Father knows will not be good for you.

      Sheila tossed it back and forth between her hands. He's right. One little bite; surely wouldn’t hurt; just one little itsy-bitsy bite." Then her lovely face hardened ever so slightly. I always knew there were things the Father was keeping from us, and that is so unfair! We're mature adults. We don’t need to be hemmed in so tightly!