Parables of the Bible: Creation
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: God alone owns the deed to the Universe. I wouldn't want it for all the tea in China.
Author's Note: The baobab idea is an old African legend. Go to your local library and check it out!
(Day 3)
"Is there a reason you have all the trees upside down?" the Great Uncle asked the Son, staring at the wooden model of the planet.
"No real reason, but I want them to be," the Son replied.
"The trees are going to need nitrogen and carbon dioxide to survive. They can't do that if they're stuck head first in the ground."
The Son didn't reply but brought a finger to His lips. Something was about to happen.
The Great King stood at the doorway to the Creation. Waving His hands in a sweeping motion He said: "Let the seas be gathered into one place and let the dry ground appear!" And it was so. He found it to be good.
The Great Uncle and the Son also came to stand in the doorway.
"Let the earth be fruitful and multiply. Let there be grassy hills and flowering meadows!" the Son proclaimed. And it was so.
"Let there be fruit trees and all kinds of plants and them produce after their own kind!" the Great Uncle exclaimed. And it was so.
The watery globe was in travail. The dry ground rose from its depths and was called by the Great King "land" and the oceans were called "seas". Grass and flowering plants and trees and plants of all kinds appeared to clothe the beautiful new planet being formed. And there was evening and morning, the third day.
The Son, the Great King, and the Great Uncle walked the new floral paradise they had created. The Great Uncle stared in amazement at some trees that looked like they were growing upside down. "I thought We had a discussion about this," He warily asked the Son.
"They're called baobabs, Uncle," the Son said, with a hint of a smile on His face.
The Great King rolled His eyes upwards and said not a word.