Paw Prints the Magazine

THE ORIGIN OF PETS: A Fable

(Adapted from the story of Adam and Eve; told by Eldrbarry at the wedding of his daughter in Kaposvar, Hungary)

The Story of Adam and Eve is an important part of the Bible – from it we are taught much about the relationship of man and wife. It is also a story that lends itself to some creative imaginings, with perhaps a little reading between the lines.

Adam was created in the image of God – a bridge between the creation and its creator – capable of fellowship with Him. When Adam was first created and placed in the Garden of Eden, he was like a wide-eyed innocent child. There was so much to see and discover. Once a day, he would meet with God and chatter on and on about the wonders he’d seen. But after a while, as the newness wore off, he started feeling lonely. He noticed that all the other creatures had mates.

Adam’s guardian angel came to God and said. “Adam, the man you made, is lonely.” And God said, “Maybe what Adam needs is a pet.”

What about a pet elephant?

So God began to bring the Animals one by one to Adam. “Hey, Adam, how about the

Elephant – he’s so big and has that neat trunk swinging back and forth?” But when Adam thought of shoveling out the litter box, he hesitated about the Elephant. “Adam, how about a Giraffe – He’s sooooo tall!!” Adam thought he was too tall to pet – isn’t that what pets are for? “Then, maybe a pet bird – how about an Ostrich?” She sure can run, but boy is she stupid! This went on and on, but none were found to be suitable as companions. While all

the animals had mates, there was still none for him.

Then God said: “I will select a companion for him that will be with him and who will be a reflection of my love for him, so that he will know I love him, even when he cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable he may be this new companion will accept him as he is and will love him as I do, in spite of himself.”

And God brought a new animal to be a companion for Adam – and it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail. God said “What will you name him?” And Adam said, “Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and all the good names are taken and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.”

Too tall? Really?

God said, “Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will can him DOG.” And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

But after a while, it came to pass that Adam’s guardian angel came to the Lord and said, “Lord, since you gave the dog to Adam, he has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but he has not yet been taught humility.”

And the Lord said, “So I will give him another companion who will be with him and who will see him as he is. This companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not worthy of adoration.”

A dog. Perfect!

And God gave CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat’s eyes, he was reminded that he was not a supreme being. And Adam learned humility. And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved. And Cat did not care one way or the other.

But even with Dog and Cat for companions, Adam was still lonely. Dog wagged his tail and played fetch, and Cat was indifferent even when he brought home a mouse or bird – they were nice to have around. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

So God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

And the Lord said, “I have made for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will love him and share his dreams. She will see him as he is and companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not worthy of adoration.” And God created WOMAN to be a companion to Adam…

God created the Woman. God did not make her a pet, but a mate, to share life together.  When Adam awoke, God brought the woman

A cat. Now that'll teach him.

to him. Adam’s mouth dropped open. “WOW!! Lord, she is beautiful! This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.” Adam was very pleased.

Like Dog – she was loyal and affectionate, with eyes that adored him and filled with joy and excitement at his coming home from the Garden. But like Cat – she could be moody and given to whims. She saw man as he actually was and not as he thought he was. Her smile or laughter filled him with joy – made him excited to begin each new day. Her tears could move his heart and rouse him to heroic action. But he couldn’t play rough with her like with the dog, and unlike cat she seemed to always want his attention. For Eve was no pet!

After a time, Adam came to God – “About this woman you made?”

“Yes?”

“Why did you make her beautiful?”

“So you will always want to look at her.”

“Why so soft?”

“So you will always want to touch her, and be gentle with her.”

“Why does she smell so good?”

“So you will always want to be near her.”

“Then why does she sometimes cry for no reason? And why does she laugh at my foolishness? I can’t begin to understand how she thinks. Why can’t she be just like me?”

“I made her a compliment to you – a helper suitable for you. Not a copy of you, but your opposite to complete you.”

“Why can’t she be just like me?

“She is everything that you aren’t.”

“No wonder I just can’t seem live with her. She cries sometimes for no reason.”

“I made her emotional on purpose.”

“She laughs at my foolishness.”

“I gave her intuition”

“Her moods change like the moon.”

“She will need these things to be the mother of your children.”

“Sometimes when I reach out to touch her she just pushes me away. I can’t live with her!”

“She wasn’t meant to be a pet. But perhaps I could find you another pet . . . a fish perhaps, aren’t they are interesting creatures? A creature you could be happier with.”

But then Adam thought of Eve’s sparkling eyes and musical laughter. Her soft curves and her graceful walk. Of their quiet moments watching the sunset and sharing the day’s work and the night’s dreams together. “I can’t live without her either.” He decided to keep the woman.

And God saw that it was very good. Man and woman became united as husband and wife.

Elephant swung his trunk and Giraffe stretched his neck. Ostrich hid her head in the sand. Dog wagged his tail and stretched out at Adam’s feet. And Cat, of course, could care less.

Tags: Adam & Eve, Bible, Garden of Eden, God