The First Shepherd Abel
The sun was going down. Abel sat by the fire with his mother and father. He looked at his father’s hands. They were rough and covered in scars from the sharp thorns in the fields. "Father," Abel said softly. "Tell me about the Garden again. Tell me about the home we lost." Adam looked toward the West. Far away, a bright, flashing light guarded the path back. He sighed. "It was different there, Abel," Adam said. "The ground was kind. It didn't grow weeds or thorns. The air smelled like fresh flowers every day. We were never tired, and we were never afraid." Eve looked up from her work. "And the water, Abel! The rivers were as clear as glass. When we drank, we felt strong and happy. We didn't have to work until our backs ached just to find food. The trees gave us everything we needed." Abel listened closely. He had spent his whole life in the dry, dusty land outside the Garden. He only knew hard work. "But what about God?...