Summary

The omniscient narrator introduces us to the Garden of Eden and the animals residing there. No blood is able to be spilled in the garden “so the roles of most of the animals are greatly reduced” (85). The animals are “unaware of this fact” and stand around, “marveling at their own bodies” (85). Some animals are pleased by the strength of their bodies while others like the penguin and guinea pig wonder if God has played a joke on them.

A lion stares at a lamb, fantasizing about sinking its teeth into the lamb’s neck and beating it against a tree. The lion does not understand these fantasies that it finds simultaneously appalling and invigorating. When a peacock walks past, the lion imagines an “explosion of feathers” (86). The peacock is confused and hurt by the way the lion looks at him. He wants...