" Tell me a story!"
It was a demand, not befitting of its owner nor the individual it was aimed toward but the said individual simple gave a warm smile and proceeded to relax within his chair. He raised his eyebrow, " Is there any tale in particular you'd like to here?" He asked and received a simple shrug in return.
" Well then. You know of God? So you also know of Adam and Eve I suppose?" The girl nodded rapidly, running around the long table so as to jump into the man's lap and curl up against him like a particularly pleased feline.
" Then let me tell you the story of the two brothers.
Their names were Cain and Abel, born of the mother of men - Eve - in that same order.
To begin with the brothers were incredibly close, together they would run through the fields and gardens and hunt alongside the animals. They understood and treasured the miracles that their lord had created.
Upon growing, each of them, to respectable heights, the two brothers decided that over the course of ten years they would arrange a series of offerings to give to God - a way of showing their admiration and appreciation for the creator.
Now Abel kept flocks and Cain worked the fields, the two of them determined to create the best and most beautiful of offerings to give to their true father.
One day, at the end of the first year, Abel grew curious. His flocks were well and watered and his produce was fine but still he wondered, how was his brother doing? Cain, meanwhile, had realised that raising his crops took time and patience. Whilst his crops grew and matured the man ventured into the forests to hunt and father the natural gifts offered to him.
Upon arriving at his brothers fields Abel was amazed. Far and wide did the crops spread, verdant green and vibrant red, the fields were alive. And Abel was jealous.
(It was at that moment that Abel reached the crossroads)
Abel loved his brother, he really did, and he at all people realised that God would appreciate both of their gifts. But onward the doubt crept and slowly a devious plan began to form.
(Abel chose the wrong path)
A month later, Cain returned. He carried with him the hide of fourteen cows and three bowls of woodland berries. He felt accomplishment and excitement as he raced as fast as possible toward his beloved fields.
But the fields were gone!
Well not quite gone... but a storm had seemingly struck, an unstoppable carnivorous beast that had razed his beloved crops to the ground.
For a minute Cain stood, disbelieving at the peak of a nearby hill, simply watching as the wind whistled across empty grounds, before he turned and ran.
[ "Abel! Abel, my brother!" ]
Cried Cain as he neared his younger brother. Confusion clouding his features Abel turned and asked what was wrong.
[ Was there a storm? Was there a storm? All my crops have disappeared and nothing had been left behind!" ]
Cain said, waving his hands and pulling his hair.
[ Ah you mean the great storm!" ] replied Abel, [ Oh yes, two weeks back an enormous storm came by," ] he shook his head sadly [ "You must not have seen it wherever you were," ]
In return Cain sighed and nodded before perking up with a new enthusiasm, [ " it's fine, it's fine!" ] he smiled [ " I'll plant some new crops, hopefully these ones will be strong enough to withstand any storm - they should be ready by the end of next year!" ]
Abel ruffled his brother's hair in response to the enthusiasm before pushing him lightly toward his fields, Cain let him, because well - so much work and so little time! "