It came to pass that as Serpent was cramming the leaves into it and taking a sly nibble, the Clone stepped out from the bushes to ask what he was doing. This was a habit of the Clone’s that even the Gardener was beginning to find irritating, but Serpent was merely flustered for a moment. “I am taking important samples back for the Scientist,” he said “don’t worry your pretty little head about it”.

“But I saw you eating some,” persisted the Clone “I know I did, and the Scientist told us never to eat of these Trees, lest we die!” Serpent did not want the Scientist to hear of this, it would surely provoke questions that would ultimately reveal his secret research. Quickly then did he answer unto her saying “Oh but the great Scientist has found that only one of the Trees is poisonous; that one over there. And he has given me these labels so that you shall henceforth know one from the other.”

And the Clone said unto him “Can we then eat of this Tree?” For she was never one to leave any uncertainty about things. And Serpent said unto the Clone “Ye shall not surely die, for the Scientist doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (He had heard the Scientist use this rather archaic form of speech to impress people, although it seemed to have little effect on the Clone.)

It came to pass that as Serpent was cramming the leaves into it and taking a sly nibble, the Clone stepped out from the bushes to ask what he was doing. This was a habit of the Clone’s that even the Gardener was beginning to find irritating, but Serpent was merely flustered for a moment. “I am taking important samples back for the Scientist,” he said “don’t worry your pretty little head about it”.

“But I saw you eating some,” persisted the Clone “I know I did, and the Scientist told us never to eat of these Trees, lest we die!” Serpent did not want the Scientist to hear of this, it would surely provoke questions that would ultimately reveal his secret research. Quickly then did he answer unto her saying “Oh but the great Scientist has found that only one of the Trees is poisonous; that one over there. And he has given me these labels so that you shall henceforth know one from the other.”

And the Clone said unto him “Can we then eat of this Tree?” For she was never one to leave any uncertainty about things. And Serpent said unto the Clone “Ye shall not surely die, for the Scientist doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (He had heard the Scientist use this rather archaic form of speech to impress people, although it seemed to have little effect on the Clone.)