t
them. They had never dreamt of doubting him--not even the Woman. The
reason for this had been God.

Every afternoon God had come stepping down from the sky to walk with the
Man through the sun-spangled shadows of the grassy paths. They had heard
the kindly rumble of His voice like distant thunder and the little tones
of the Man as he asked his questions. At six o'clock regularly God had
shaken hands with the Man and climbed leisurely back up the sky-blue
stairs that led to Heaven. Because of this the Man had gained a
reputation among the animals for being wise. They had thought of him as
God's friend. He had given orders to everybody--even to the Woman; and
everyone had been proud to obey him.

It had been in April the great change had occurred. There had been all
kinds of rumours. The first that had been suspected had been when God
had failed to come for His customary walk; the next had been when He had
arrived with His face hidden in anger. The trees of Eden had bent and
clashed as if a strong wind were blowing. Everything living that was not
rooted, had run away to hide. Nevertheless, when God had called to the
Man, they had tiptoed nearer to listen. The trouble had seemed to be
about some fruit. God had told the Man that he must not pluck it; he had
not only plucked it, but had eaten of it. So had the Woman. It had
seemed a small matter to make such a fuss about. They had supposed that
God's anger would soon blow over and that everything would be again as
friendly as before.

[Illustration: God had given the Man and Woman no time to pack. He had
marched them beyond the walls and locked the golden gates of Eden
against them forever.]

And so everything might have been had it not been for the Man. Instead
of saying he was sorry, he had started to argue and blame the Woman. At
that God had refused to speak with him longer. He had ordered the Man
and Woman and all the animals to leave Eden immediately. He had given
them no time to pack. Lining them up like soldiers, He had numbered them
to make certain that none were missing and then, with the Man and Woman
leading, had marched them beyond the walls and locked the golden gates
of Eden against them forever.

Since then all had been privation and confusion. The animals, from
regarding the Man as their lord, had grown to despise him. They had
blamed him for their misfortunes. They had told him that it was his
fault that they had lost their happiness and that God wa