The Garden of Eden lies in disuse. The beautiful flowers, which once delighted Eve, are now withered. The birds and beasts, which once lived in harmony, now prey on each other. Even The Forbidden Tree (the tree of Knowledge) is rotting. Its leaves have lost their sheen. Its fruits no longer tempt. Every once in a while, Satan visits the tree and sighs with nostalgia. Those were the good old days……..

In one corner of the garden, lies a little chapel. It is surrounded by weeds and thorny creepers and dreadful flowers that eat insects. Its walls are white marble, and its windows are frosted glass. And inside, on a marble slab, Yahweh is sound asleep. The whinging voices of countless priests (praying for peace and prosperity in their congregation; and suitable punishment for atheists) fails to awaken him. The urging voices of hundreds of selfish people praying for some favour, and the quiet prayers of the selfless few, have no effect on him. He is as indifferent to the bellows of the drunkard (praying for whiskey) as he is to the melodious voice of a terminally ill girl (praying for world peace). The numerous thanks sent to him; by the people who, in the course of their miserable lives, have got what they wanted; go unacknowledged. He sleeps silently and peacefully, just like a baby. After all, he did work for six days. What more do they expect of him?

The hyenas cackle, in the Garden of Eden, while the lion preys on the mouse. The Satan sits in the shade of The Forbidden Tree, watching it die. While the Satan weeps, and Yahweh sleeps, the air acquires a characteristic smell. The smell of decayed piety.