God's Greatest Deed or: What the Owl told the Rabbit

A long, long time ago, God created our world. He then filled it with a multitude of wonderful creatures – on land, in the air and under the seas. He also created all manners of flowers, fruits and trees so that they may thrive and multiply. And his heart was gladdened when he saw all that he had accomplished.

But no deed, however great, is reward unto itself – even God needs recognition and praise.

So it came to pass, that He called all the creatures of heaven to look at his work and witness all that he had created.

And as He wished, so was it done. The Sun and the moon, and all the stars, along with all the angels from heaven came to look at the world, and all were awed by its many wonders.

But there was one amongst them who was envious. He could not abide the adulation the others lavished on Him. And so he spoke out:

“Your creatures are many, but they are not varied. All are meek and resemble one another. They will eventually run out of grass and fruits to eat, multiplying unheeded.”

But God, in all his glory, was not put out. He merely smiled, and then created all manners of predators. Surely the Cheetah’s speed, the Eagle’s skill and the Lion’s majesty would be enough to silence anyone.

But the one was not quelled. He again spoke:

“These are just dumb killing machines – they have no cunning, no artifice. Perhaps you can only create what you know, reproducing parts of your own qualities in these inferior copies.”

God created the Snake.

“Clever, but still a mere copy – this time of me. Let’s see you make a creature that surpasses them all in cunning and depravity of purpose. The greatest killing machine invested with the choicest of unholy qualities, so that it may bring all of nature itself to her knees. Then, and only then, will you be the true Creator.”

God created Man.

And that’s how the devil ensured the destruction of God’s greatest deed.