God stopped by
while Adam was naming the animals.

A black dog stepped forward:
"Julian," said Adam.

A long-haired cat:
"Carla." 

A brindled, full-uddered cow:
"Samantha."

God smiled and shook his head.
"No, Adam, that's not it.
Give them generic names.
Julian is a dog.
Carla is a cat.
Samantha is a cow.
Understand?"

"I think so," Adam said.
Something reptilian slithered at their feet.
"Snake?" he asked.

"That's it."
God paused.
"The problem with personal names?
You become attached,
then they break your heart."

"But you gave me a personal name."

"Yes."

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.