Sunday, October 08, 2006

Illustration Friday: Trouble



On one particularly boring day some 5,000 years ago -- it may have been closer to 5,000,000 years ago, but who's counting? -- First Woman Eve was lolling about under a shady palm. She was bored. Nothing was wrong particularly. Maybe that was the problem... everything was always... well... right. She sighed a sigh, stretched her arms lazily, and surveyed the compound.

Nice enough place, everything she needed was within easy reach... water, fruit and veggies. Being vegan, she and Adam didn't even consider sampling one of the myriad creatures that ambled aimlessly about the place. And there were a bunch of them... sleeping under every rock, hanging or perched in every tree, and sunning in every open spot it seemed. In fact that lughead Adam was out finishing up his one chore... naming the last two or three dozen animals.

When Eve thought of Adam, she sighed again and knit her unblemished brow slightly. The guy was fairly good-looking and was nice enough and all, but, sheesh, he really was dumb as that creature he had named Ox. And boring... he was just plain boring. She stepped over Lion, who was dozing next to Lamb and yawned. The whole place was boring. Nothing ever happened.

That was when something coming down the lane caught her eye. It was Serpent, rolling something along in front of him. She chuckled. He wasn't soft and cuddly like Koala, or strong and fast like Horse, but he was, well... interesting. He always seemed to be up to something. He had discovered that his little hands were prehensile, like Monkey's, the better to investigate things. And just last week, he had taken to walking upright on his hind legs, imitating Adam by stumbling about and tripping over roots. Serpent made Eve laugh.

And here he was again today, but what was it that he had with him? The little guy was toiling so hard... Maybe Eve would give him a hand. As she got closer, she realized what Serpent was pushing. Oh, what had he gotten into this time? He knew better. He must have been exploring the one tree they weren't supposed to go near and had knocked off one of its fruits. The little imp.

Maybe today wasn't going to be as boring as yesterday... and the day before...

Well, dear reader, you can probablly guess what sort of trouble Serpent got Eve into that day... and how Adam stepped right into it himself. And you know the results... pain of childbirth, toiling from dawn to dark, you know, complications of life.

Oh, and Serpent lost his hands and legs.

Peace, everyone, and keep your nose out of trouble today.

19 comments:

steve said...

Always an interesting story--I like your take on it. I also like how you illuminated the colors on the apple and lizard here!

JO said...

Great story and awesome illo. The serpent was the original trouble. Beautiful job.

Anonymous said...

Just plain hilarious!! yes; imagine the trouble if they had bbq back in the day...

merlinprincesse said...

I LOVE your story! LOL! There is a smile on my face!!! Poor Serpent.. He is really cute on your drawing with his little hands...Hheheheh! I think I would have taken the apple toooo! :) Bad MP...Maybe we are in trouble, but being happy is not boring any more... :P

Unknown said...

Nice illo, the snake creature is expressive.

Jana Bouc said...

Really interesting technique on the serpent and apple as well as a pretty unique take on Trouble!

Michelle Lana said...

aaah...very nice..great take on the theme!

valerie walsh said...

Well Done! I like the story and your illo is superb, i just love your style!

Gabrielle said...

A great retell of an old "classic" Love your image too, it really does look like trouble.

Tony LaRocca said...

Hee hee... I always loved the end of the ORIGINAL "Bedazzled" (not the crappy remake w/ Liz Hurley) when the devil returns to heaven, and God booms, "ON THY BELLY SHALT THOU GO- DUST SHALT THOU EAT!" and the devil raises his eyes to the sky and says, "Aw- your're not on about THAT again are you? Mmmm dust... yum yum!"

TheTart said...

Great story ... I was spellbound ... even though I knew the end, wink!

Love that bad-boy snake & that lovely red apple ~ yummy!

Smooches & peaceful hugs,
The Tart
; *

Anonymous said...

Hi Twiss,

You hear the story in Sunday School a million or so times, and it looses it's sense of reality. Thanks for bringing the "Original Sin" story back home. I enjoyed it immensely, as I did your illustration.

Thanks for checking in on my blog, I appreciate your comments.

Sono Io,
Roberto

° said...

seems thats were it all start damn snake an an apple go figure

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Great colors! Terrific idea. I love your line, "but he was, well... interesting." That says a lot! Thanks for another great work.

Amy Zaleski said...

This is absolutely wonderful!! What a great writer you are. And I love your take on this age old story. The illustration is a perfect match.

HARDWAX said...

I like your interpretation of the 'garden', and i'm sure it happened exactly that way.
The infamous twosome are rendered beautifully, the piece makes me think of metal sculpture. Really enjoying the look of this!

Anonymous said...

Hallow! This was the first time I stayed put for the ending because, the other times were boring ...
};-}

Babe in the Woods said...

I just swallowed the last of my apple. It was wonderfully sweet. Do I have to worry about tomorrow?

Kim de Young said...

I love the humor in your story and the perspective from the bored lady! Your artwork is perfect!