388- Adam’s Rib

 

St-Takla.org Image: Adam and Eve in Paradise, from The Children's Bible Picture Book, 1875. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: آدم وحواء في الجنة، عن كتاب صور الكتاب المقدس للأطفال، 1875.

People narrate the following imaginary story to reveal a bitter fact:

It was said that Adam left Eve for few hours and returned. Then, Eve asked him, "Why are you late? Where have you been?”

He answered calmly, “I was working in the field.”

She entertained doubts and said, “I’m sure that you were with another woman.”

Adam was surprised how Eve could doubt his love for her and his purity. He said, “Don’t you know that there isn’t any woman but you? God didn’t create any woman except you.”

She thought for a while and said, “Truly, God didn’t take anyone but me from your ribs.”

Nevertheless, as Adam slept, Eve uncovered Adam’s chest to count his ribs. As he felt what she was doing, he woke up disturbed and asked, “What are you doing?”

She answered, “I’m making sure that God didn’t create from your ribs any woman save me.”

It’s an imaginary tale which reveals that when man entertains doubt he/she loses confidence even in his/her Creator Who shepherds him/her and cares for his/her salvation and eternal life.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: ضلوع آدم.

Lord, heal my soul from skepticism,

For, it makes me lose my inner peace,

And lose my closest friends.

Other people’s behavior is not the reason behind my doubt.

It is the voidness of my heart and mind.

Fill my soul with Yourself,

For me to know that love thinks no evil.

The Wasp and the Sparrow

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Following her Steps