A poetic short story that puts an unusual twist on the most popular book in the world! P1 |
Reason Why bring forth child and let it be, uneducated, naked, beneath the tree? Give it companion to pacify with one simple rule to hide the lie. Soon in sneaks reason Quiet and quick, To melt the lie Like a candlestick. He came from nowhere and he doth call, "my friend, why know you nothing at all? Cover yourself! Have you no shame? Have you not been taught to play the life game?" The child replies "but what do you mean? I've done nothing wrong, you speak so obscene." "But dear!" he cried, and averted his eyes. "It's wrong to uncover your loins and your thighs." "My Elder say not, he say only That I am not to eat from my tree. He watches me So that good I will be." Reason is confused, "I don't understand. He likes to watch you run nude through this land? You're a child of sorts Yet he sits on his porch, and he lets you run free, Except for this tree? While you run and play And touch your friend here, He is away, your Elder so dear. Yet he can watch you- no privacy, but you cannot go near this one simple tree? This tree is divine, Will give you your mind. Is having knowledge truly A worthy crime?" The child replies Still with blind eyes, "In my elder I believe, For he knows much more than me." "Silly child, How do you not see? This tree can make you as smart as he! It breaks my heart to see you here Not even in any underwear. This child abuse Is it's own noose. We must set you free, Please come live with me. EAT and learn and live and grow. Why need you mindlessly follow orders like so?" The child say, "does it taste of sweet?" Reason replies, "Aye, like a treat." "Is it hard to eat?" "The hardest part is to climb With your head under your feet." Reason then took his new friend to the tree. And they climbed it together happily. They plucked off some fruit And dropped to the ground, And devoured it together, And went another round. They invited Companion And all ate the treat. They were filled with a light from their head to their feet. The children knew then That Reason was right. They had to do something To cover the sight. They were fully exposed: Breasts and loins posed. Reason saw that they knew As hide they did try. He quick wove some grass To wrap round their thighs. He would quick leave them To grab larger leaves, So their making of clothes Would harm fewer trees. But in Reason's absence The King Elder returned. What Elder spake he delivered With a rage that burned... |