I awoke in a place of breathtaking beauty. The first sensation I felt was confusion, followed swiftly by the realization that my body ached with an unfamiliar soreness. I sat up from the floor as the dirt fell from around me. I clutched my head, trying to concentrate through the haze of bewilderment. I staggered to my feet, my unsteady legs slowly finding their balance. It was as if I had just come into being, a newborn taking its first tentative steps into the world.
My surroundings were astonishing. Towering trees, their leaves forming a verdant canopy above, surrounded me. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and the songs of unseen birds. It was a paradise unlike any I could have imagined, and deep within my being, I understood that this place was known as a forest.
With cautious steps, I walked through the lush undergrowth, my feet sinking slightly into the rich soil. I marveled at the world around me, everything new and wondrous. As I continued, I arrived at the edge of a pristine river that shimmered like liquid silver in the dappled sunlight. I knelt by the water's edge and peered into the clear pool.
My reflection revealed that I was quite young, I had a lean yet muscular physique, and my hair was short cascaded in raven-black waves. But it was my eyes that held my attention – bright amber, they radiated an otherworldly intensity.
Wait how did I know all that? More over who am I, what am I? And where am I... what are these questions? What is a question? Wait... that is a question!
Suddenly I felt a pressure build up in the back of my head until it was as if a volcano exploded and unimaginable pain flooded my head, the worst feeling I wouldn't ever wish on any other. I collapsed to my knees, gripping my head in my hands as I felt so much stuff consume my mind. Information that I felt I wasn't supposed to know. So... much... information.
As I lay by the riverbank, still trying to make sense of the flood of knowledge that had washed over me, a presence approached. A figure, he was radiant and divine? He wasn't like me, I knew that if he wanted I would be dead instantly. His presence eluded this powerful aura and light, all I could do was stay silent.
"Hello, Adam," the figure began, his voice resonating with authority and wisdom, "I am God, I am the creator and the source of all that you see around you."
I gazed up at God, my eyes meeting his with a calm determination. "My Lord."
God's eyes, like two galaxies seemed to be brimming with the knowledge of the cosmos. He studied me for a moment before he grinned, "You are a human, the first of my creations. I have created you for the task of watching over the Garden of Eden."
I nodded as I stood up, I realized unlike God. I was completely naked. I wonder why…
God's eyes softened with a touch of compassion, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "You will be tasked in naming all the species that reside here in the Garden. Follow me."
God led me through the Garden of Eden, and with every step, the beauty of the world unfurled before my eyes. He paused beside an animal. It was covered in coarse brown and gray fur, blending with the forest surroundings. The most striking feature was its large, spiraling horns that gracefully extended from the sides of its head.
"Adam," God said, his voice resonating with warmth, "This creature, born of my design, all it needs is a name."
I gazed upon the creature, captivated by its beauty. I knew that the name I gave it would be a reflection of its essence, and the weight of the moment settled upon me. "Uhm, let's see… Bighorn sheep?'"
A golden light enveloped the creature as my words took root, the bighorn snorted and God sighed. "Uh, yes quite a unique name. Now when you name an animal it will glow like that," He motioned to the bighorn. "When the animal or plant glows the same will happen to the rest of its species, granting them a shared name."
"That's cool. I guess." I responded. Names where powerful, that was why I guess God didn't tell me his real name.
God's benevolent smile seemed to illuminate the garden even further. "As I stated, you shall name all species, as a gift. You will gain a deep understanding of those you name."
With those words from earlier, God bade me farewell, and in a burst of divine light, he was gone. I stood alone in the garden, surrounded by the animals and the beauty of creation. Birds soared through the skies, fish swam in the clear waters, and beasts roamed the land.
The Garden of Eden stretched out before me, an enchanting expanse of lush greenery and vibrant life. With each passing moment, I grew more aware of the immense task that lay ahead. But I was resolute in my commitment to caring for this wondrous realm, to nurturing the animals and bestowing upon them names, he asked for me to give them a name, not a true name. I knew I had a true name, something that resided deep inside me... but what was it?
As I wandered through the garden, the marvels of creation surrounded me. Birds filled the skies, their melodies echoing through the air, while fish gracefully glided through the crystalline waters. On the land, magnificent beasts roamed, their presence a testament to the divine artistry that had shaped them. I marveled at the intricate patterns of their fur, the grace of their movements, and the gentle interplay of predator and prey in the natural world.
But as I continued my journey, I knew that there were countless species yet to be named. Each step brought me face to face with a new and unique being, and the responsibility of bestowing upon them an identity weighed heavily on my shoulders.
One such encounter led me to a majestic creature, its golden mane flowing like a river of sunlight. It was a powerful feline, that exuding strength and nobility. I greeted the nobel beast bowing to it as I walked to it and petted the beasts coat as I closed my eyes letting the animals information seep into my mind.
"You shall be called a… Lion. Careful that is Poison Ivy your laying on, it isn't a good to be on it."
As I named the large cat, a golden light enveloped him. Taking my warning the feline moved away from the plant. I smiled and rubbed the Lions chin as I bid it farewell.
My journey through the garden continued, and I encountered a magnificent bird of prey, its wings wide and powerful. It had a striking appearance, with dark feathers and piercing eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of the skies. It's rear talons was about 3-4 inches long – the same size as a grizzly bear's claws.
"Harpy Eagle," I spoke, when the bird landed on my awaiting arm as it nuzzled its beck into my chin. "You are such a majestic bird."
The golden light encircled the harpy eagle, and it gave a majestic cry that echoed through the garden. It was a moment of profound connection between a steward and the creatures he cared for.
I noticed some a bushy plant that had a dense, red wool like flower. Next to it was a plant that had leaves that were rounded and was palmately divided into 5-7 well lobed segments. It has purple flowers that were helmet shaped. "That is a Cockscomb, and next to you... I'll name you Wolf's bane."
By the end of the first day I had named exactly 23,835 differet species. And I knew I still had a lot more to go, why did he have to create over 10 million species? I sat down under a sherman tree and closed my eyes as the sun set over the mountains. I was way to tired to continue, a little nap won't hurt.
"This is going to take a really long time." I mutter to myself, "Not to mention I need to create some clothes so I am not naked, God will no doubt find it strange but I'll think of some excuse…"