| THE LORELEI SIGNAL |
.
| Written by Morgen Leigh / Artwork by Holly Eddy |
| In the Beginning |
Nammu, the Mother who gave birth to heaven
and earth, sat atop a grand and wondrous fig
tree, checking Her list of things to do.
"Let's see," She said, looking out over the
great land of Her making. "Got the light down
pretty well, just need to do that whole
dividing thing and add some stars to
illuminate the dark. Sky looks okay, but needs
minor color adjustment." The Great Mother
wrote more blue next to the word sky on
her list then scanned the slip of paper.
"Rivers and oceans..." Nammu pondered this,
tapping Her finger to Her chin. "Rivers and
oceans … Ah! Yes! I'll put all manner of
strange and funny looking creatures there as
well as in the swamps and the trees. Some
will swim, some will fly, and some will do both.
Yes! Wonderful! Add a myriad of diverse and
odd beasts to walk the land and there's just
one last thing to do." She made a note.
"A tough one," the Mother whispered, nodding
seriously, Her long dark braided locks shifting
with the breeze. "This could get tricky."
With utmost care and forethought, Nammu
plucked a coarse black hair from Her head and
tossed it to the wind. It twisted and twirled
toward the ground and upon alighting on the
lush green grass turned into a woman with
deep brown skin, long wild hair, and eyes the
color of freshly made chocolate (the first and
best creation of the Great Mother). The new
invention took a breath of air and sat up.
"Hey there," Nammu called out from Her perch
in the tree, knowing the woman could not see Her. "How do you feel?"
The woman looked around and smiled. "I know you, Mother, from the time before. What is my name?"
Pleased, Nammu said, "I have named you Lilith. And now I'll build you a companion with custom-fitting parts, a
good head for menial tasks, and lower intelligence so you may enjoy many pleasures and the splendid land I
have made for you to look after. I warn you, though," Nammu added, "I know well the nature of woman, not
so much the nature of man. It's still...foggy and I'm not sure how he'll turn out."
The Great Mother added the word fog to her list.
Lilith frowned. "What do you mean companion? What is this he?"
Nammu explained.
Lilith grew horrified. "I have no interest in such a beast," Lilith exclaimed. "I prefer a she, like me, for a
companion. And I don't want babies. I'd much prefer a career, perhaps in alchemy and numbers."
After several ponderous moments, Nammu smiled. "Very well then," She said and, plucking a hair from Lilith's
head, created a second woman (who was a bit rounder and just as honorable) for the first. Together, Lilith
and her companion strolled off into the paradise of the woods and flowers, speaking of the fluidity and motion
of water, and how it could possibly be.
Nammu sat for a very long time, thinking deep thoughts. She selected another hair, this one a bit less coarse,
and tossed it to the whispering wind. She watched it twist and twirl, spin and dance, flip and loop, until it
settled on the lush grass below. Looking down, the Great Mother pondered the magnificent creature lying
there.
"Hey there," Nammu called out from Her perch in the tree, knowing the woman could not see Her. "How do
you feel?"
The woman looked around and smiled. "I know you, Mother, from the time before. What is my name?"
Pleased, Nammu said, "I have named you Eve, as in the time before. And now I'll build you a companion with
custom-fitting parts, a good head for menial tasks, and lower intelligence so that..." Nammu's voice trailed off.
The Great Mother pulled at Her lower lip. "Unless you prefer someone similar to yourself."
Eve shook her head, black hair flying like wings. "No. I think it will be a great challenge to have someone very
different from me, but equal to my intelligence, emotional fortitude, inner strength, and sense of humor."
Nammu smiled and, plucking a hair from Eve's head, created a man (meaning "part of woman, an abbreviation
of woman, less complete than woman.")
The man awoke and, upon seeing the ravishing and intelligent Eve (for smarts radiated from her), grunted
loudly.
"Oh, boy," Eve muttered, helping the man to his feet. "Maybe I should have summoned an ox."
~*~
As the days and nights passed, it became quite obvious to Eve the man who was created from her was
not…right. Though handsome, he grunted and scratched regularly and seemed not to have any interest in
Eve's thoughts, feelings, ideas, or opinions. So Eve set off for the tall and wondrous fig tree under which she
first awoke.
"Mother," Eve called. "This man you have made for me isn't working out. He is unruly and immature. I would
much rather have a man with whom I can converse and debate. My brain is turning to mush."
Nammu considered the request carefully then said, "Dear daughter, my only wish is that you be stimulated
and content with the path you have chosen and that you fulfill your personal goals and dreams," and She
plucked a hair from Eve's head and tossed it to the wind.
Several days and nights passed and Eve again felt disheartened. The second man (though just as handsome
as the first) was lazy and dull of mind. Most of the care for the abundant land and animals had fallen to her,
and while Eve was absolutely capable of the work, she yearned for an adequate helpmate to share the
responsibilities.
"The elephant is better company," Eve told Nammu. And so the Great Mother plucked yet another hair from
Eve's long black locks.
So it went for many days and many nights. With each attempt came failure and Eve grew increasingly
frustrated.
"Will I never find a man who is my equal? Will I never find a man who worships me for the goddess I am?" she
lamented.
Nammu, sitting high up among the fig leaves, thought and thought. Finally, She said, "Aha! I will call upon the
wisest and craftiest of all creatures," and She clapped Her dark hands together sharply.
At once, Serpent appeared, coiling and uncoiling among the blades of grass at Eve's bare feet. Eve lifted the
splendid reptile, smiling. Serpent slid across her shoulders, turned, and looked the woman in the eye.
"How may I serve you, Woman?" Serpent asked in a vaguely Irish brogue.
"Oh, Serpent," Eve began. "It has been eighteen men and still I have not found a single one equal. I'm open
to suggestions."
Serpent bobbed her golden blue head and smiled a knowing smile. "Nammu," she called.
Nammu roused Herself from Her to-do list. "Yes, Sister S?"
"You have created woman with...how shall I say it...intrinsic knowin'. Intuition and a lust for learnin'. She is
complete. But because man is a diluted version of woman, he must be taught. And, like the pain of child-
bearin', it is woman's task because she is the stronger and wiser of the two."
"Ah," Nammu said, jotting this bit of profundity on Her list. "You're absolutely right. Any thoughts on how to
remedy this dilemma?"
Serpent grinned. "Build a beautiful tree at the center of the Garden. This awesome tree will bear the Fruit of
Knowledge. The man who seeks out and welcomes the Fruit is woman's equal, as much as man can be equal
to woman, for truly woman will always be superior." Serpent's eyes narrowed then, her tongue flicking. "I
must warn you, though. Some who eat may go insane with insecurity, as man's tendency toward violence and
dominance will be revealed to each who pursue the Fruit. Watch for this, Woman, for these men will be
dangerous to your personal growth and self-esteem."
Eve swallowed. She nodded her head once. "But there will be one who recognizes man and woman's equal
nature? One who will not reduce me to my biology when I am weepy or angry? One who will not attack my
intelligence when he feels his manhood is threatened? One who is capable of deep abiding love and mutual
respect?"
Serpent drew close, looking Eve in the eyes. "Oh, yes, Daughter. And when you find this partner, the world
Namuu has created for you will align. Without this tricky balance, the world can never be quite right." With
that, Serpent bowed her golden blue head, slithered from Eve's shoulders, and disappeared into the lush
grass.
Nammu finished Her notes and plucked yet another hair from Eve's head, tossed it to the wind, and wondered.
~*~
The next three attempts produced unfavorable results. Jonathan liked to pick his nose and eat the contents
found within. Michael found it difficult to refrain from fondling his genitals at any given time. And Jeffrey much
preferred the company of Jonathan.
Eve was quickly losing faith.
Then, on the fourth try, the Great Mother Nammu plucked a rather long and particularly black hair from Eve's
tired head. Nammu tied a single knot in the hair, pressed it to Her full brown lips, closed Her dancing black
eyes and tossed it to the wind, which seemed to moan that day, and sing. At once, a handsome man lay at
Eve's feet and upon awakening beheld the woman from whom he'd been made.
"Woman," the man said, getting to his feet and bowing so deeply that his hair brushed the earth. "Mother,
sister, companion, and friend."
Eve smiled. "Now, that's more like it!"
Eve and her new companion Adam spent many days wandering the wondrous Garden Nammu had created.
They wondered together about the many plants and animals, observing how the ape seemed similar to them,
and how the sloth was so gentle. Eve often went to the tree under which she first awoke to lie naked
beneath its broad full branches, for Eve was quite secure in her body image. On occasion, Eve spoke to
Nammu, thanking the Great Mother for all She had provided, and asking for Her permission.
"May I now show him, Mother?" Eve implored.
"Oh, daughter," Nammu said. "Be careful what you long for. If you feed the Fruit of Knowledge to Adam, he will
not appreciate it as much as if he were to come to it on his own. If he seeks it, openly and without remorse or
judgment, that will be proof."
And so it came to be that Eve and Adam happened to pass by the Tree of Knowledge on their way to bathe in
the river Tigris. Upon approach, Adam suddenly spoke, brushing the rough bark with his hand.
"I have dreamed of such a tree," Adam told Eve. "In the time before."
Eve held her breath as Adam reached for a round ripe red apple, sprinkled with morning dew. Adam held the
fruit out to Eve and said, "Eat that you may be nourished, goddess."
Eve smiled. "You first."
Adam breathed deeply of the fruit's skin then opened his mouth and took a big bite.
All at once, Adam's eyes grew wide. He began to cough and choke and shake and pitch, then fell to the
ground as though asleep. Eve backed away, remembering Michael's reaction to eating the fruit. He'd become
angry, even aggressive, but Eve had been able to subdue him with wristlocks and groin kicks she'd learned
from Bear.
Adam lay on the grass for a long time, unmoving, and then suddenly he opened his eyes and looked at Eve.
"Goddess," he whispered, and Eve went to him.
"It is no dream," Adam told her. "How blessed I am that you have chosen me above all others. I will edify your
being, for I come from you. Without woman, man's breath is taken. I did not truly know, until now. Mother,
sister, companion, friend...I will forever lift you high and hold you there, for without you there is no life."
And so it came to pass that the second woman Eve and the twenty-third man Adam lived with unconditional
acceptance, mutual respect, deep appreciation, true passion, great humor, and eternal love in the Garden the
Great Mother had created for them to look after together. Adam made mistakes, as did Eve (although not as
often). But each reveled in learning...and teaching with utmost care and patience.
~*~
High above the Garden, perched among the grand fig leaves, Nammu watched all that took place, smiling
often and laughing into the wind. After Eve and Adam produced two healthy, inquisitive children, a boy named
Cain and a girl named Able (for she truly was), Nammu made a note on Her list.
Respect and love one another. This is the only Law.
PS: Don't forget the stars.
and earth, sat atop a grand and wondrous fig
tree, checking Her list of things to do.
"Let's see," She said, looking out over the
great land of Her making. "Got the light down
pretty well, just need to do that whole
dividing thing and add some stars to
illuminate the dark. Sky looks okay, but needs
minor color adjustment." The Great Mother
wrote more blue next to the word sky on
her list then scanned the slip of paper.
"Rivers and oceans..." Nammu pondered this,
tapping Her finger to Her chin. "Rivers and
oceans … Ah! Yes! I'll put all manner of
strange and funny looking creatures there as
well as in the swamps and the trees. Some
will swim, some will fly, and some will do both.
Yes! Wonderful! Add a myriad of diverse and
odd beasts to walk the land and there's just
one last thing to do." She made a note.
"A tough one," the Mother whispered, nodding
seriously, Her long dark braided locks shifting
with the breeze. "This could get tricky."
With utmost care and forethought, Nammu
plucked a coarse black hair from Her head and
tossed it to the wind. It twisted and twirled
toward the ground and upon alighting on the
lush green grass turned into a woman with
deep brown skin, long wild hair, and eyes the
color of freshly made chocolate (the first and
best creation of the Great Mother). The new
invention took a breath of air and sat up.
"Hey there," Nammu called out from Her perch
in the tree, knowing the woman could not see Her. "How do you feel?"
The woman looked around and smiled. "I know you, Mother, from the time before. What is my name?"
Pleased, Nammu said, "I have named you Lilith. And now I'll build you a companion with custom-fitting parts, a
good head for menial tasks, and lower intelligence so you may enjoy many pleasures and the splendid land I
have made for you to look after. I warn you, though," Nammu added, "I know well the nature of woman, not
so much the nature of man. It's still...foggy and I'm not sure how he'll turn out."
The Great Mother added the word fog to her list.
Lilith frowned. "What do you mean companion? What is this he?"
Nammu explained.
Lilith grew horrified. "I have no interest in such a beast," Lilith exclaimed. "I prefer a she, like me, for a
companion. And I don't want babies. I'd much prefer a career, perhaps in alchemy and numbers."
After several ponderous moments, Nammu smiled. "Very well then," She said and, plucking a hair from Lilith's
head, created a second woman (who was a bit rounder and just as honorable) for the first. Together, Lilith
and her companion strolled off into the paradise of the woods and flowers, speaking of the fluidity and motion
of water, and how it could possibly be.
Nammu sat for a very long time, thinking deep thoughts. She selected another hair, this one a bit less coarse,
and tossed it to the whispering wind. She watched it twist and twirl, spin and dance, flip and loop, until it
settled on the lush grass below. Looking down, the Great Mother pondered the magnificent creature lying
there.
"Hey there," Nammu called out from Her perch in the tree, knowing the woman could not see Her. "How do
you feel?"
The woman looked around and smiled. "I know you, Mother, from the time before. What is my name?"
Pleased, Nammu said, "I have named you Eve, as in the time before. And now I'll build you a companion with
custom-fitting parts, a good head for menial tasks, and lower intelligence so that..." Nammu's voice trailed off.
The Great Mother pulled at Her lower lip. "Unless you prefer someone similar to yourself."
Eve shook her head, black hair flying like wings. "No. I think it will be a great challenge to have someone very
different from me, but equal to my intelligence, emotional fortitude, inner strength, and sense of humor."
Nammu smiled and, plucking a hair from Eve's head, created a man (meaning "part of woman, an abbreviation
of woman, less complete than woman.")
The man awoke and, upon seeing the ravishing and intelligent Eve (for smarts radiated from her), grunted
loudly.
"Oh, boy," Eve muttered, helping the man to his feet. "Maybe I should have summoned an ox."
~*~
As the days and nights passed, it became quite obvious to Eve the man who was created from her was
not…right. Though handsome, he grunted and scratched regularly and seemed not to have any interest in
Eve's thoughts, feelings, ideas, or opinions. So Eve set off for the tall and wondrous fig tree under which she
first awoke.
"Mother," Eve called. "This man you have made for me isn't working out. He is unruly and immature. I would
much rather have a man with whom I can converse and debate. My brain is turning to mush."
Nammu considered the request carefully then said, "Dear daughter, my only wish is that you be stimulated
and content with the path you have chosen and that you fulfill your personal goals and dreams," and She
plucked a hair from Eve's head and tossed it to the wind.
Several days and nights passed and Eve again felt disheartened. The second man (though just as handsome
as the first) was lazy and dull of mind. Most of the care for the abundant land and animals had fallen to her,
and while Eve was absolutely capable of the work, she yearned for an adequate helpmate to share the
responsibilities.
"The elephant is better company," Eve told Nammu. And so the Great Mother plucked yet another hair from
Eve's long black locks.
So it went for many days and many nights. With each attempt came failure and Eve grew increasingly
frustrated.
"Will I never find a man who is my equal? Will I never find a man who worships me for the goddess I am?" she
lamented.
Nammu, sitting high up among the fig leaves, thought and thought. Finally, She said, "Aha! I will call upon the
wisest and craftiest of all creatures," and She clapped Her dark hands together sharply.
At once, Serpent appeared, coiling and uncoiling among the blades of grass at Eve's bare feet. Eve lifted the
splendid reptile, smiling. Serpent slid across her shoulders, turned, and looked the woman in the eye.
"How may I serve you, Woman?" Serpent asked in a vaguely Irish brogue.
"Oh, Serpent," Eve began. "It has been eighteen men and still I have not found a single one equal. I'm open
to suggestions."
Serpent bobbed her golden blue head and smiled a knowing smile. "Nammu," she called.
Nammu roused Herself from Her to-do list. "Yes, Sister S?"
"You have created woman with...how shall I say it...intrinsic knowin'. Intuition and a lust for learnin'. She is
complete. But because man is a diluted version of woman, he must be taught. And, like the pain of child-
bearin', it is woman's task because she is the stronger and wiser of the two."
"Ah," Nammu said, jotting this bit of profundity on Her list. "You're absolutely right. Any thoughts on how to
remedy this dilemma?"
Serpent grinned. "Build a beautiful tree at the center of the Garden. This awesome tree will bear the Fruit of
Knowledge. The man who seeks out and welcomes the Fruit is woman's equal, as much as man can be equal
to woman, for truly woman will always be superior." Serpent's eyes narrowed then, her tongue flicking. "I
must warn you, though. Some who eat may go insane with insecurity, as man's tendency toward violence and
dominance will be revealed to each who pursue the Fruit. Watch for this, Woman, for these men will be
dangerous to your personal growth and self-esteem."
Eve swallowed. She nodded her head once. "But there will be one who recognizes man and woman's equal
nature? One who will not reduce me to my biology when I am weepy or angry? One who will not attack my
intelligence when he feels his manhood is threatened? One who is capable of deep abiding love and mutual
respect?"
Serpent drew close, looking Eve in the eyes. "Oh, yes, Daughter. And when you find this partner, the world
Namuu has created for you will align. Without this tricky balance, the world can never be quite right." With
that, Serpent bowed her golden blue head, slithered from Eve's shoulders, and disappeared into the lush
grass.
Nammu finished Her notes and plucked yet another hair from Eve's head, tossed it to the wind, and wondered.
~*~
The next three attempts produced unfavorable results. Jonathan liked to pick his nose and eat the contents
found within. Michael found it difficult to refrain from fondling his genitals at any given time. And Jeffrey much
preferred the company of Jonathan.
Eve was quickly losing faith.
Then, on the fourth try, the Great Mother Nammu plucked a rather long and particularly black hair from Eve's
tired head. Nammu tied a single knot in the hair, pressed it to Her full brown lips, closed Her dancing black
eyes and tossed it to the wind, which seemed to moan that day, and sing. At once, a handsome man lay at
Eve's feet and upon awakening beheld the woman from whom he'd been made.
"Woman," the man said, getting to his feet and bowing so deeply that his hair brushed the earth. "Mother,
sister, companion, and friend."
Eve smiled. "Now, that's more like it!"
Eve and her new companion Adam spent many days wandering the wondrous Garden Nammu had created.
They wondered together about the many plants and animals, observing how the ape seemed similar to them,
and how the sloth was so gentle. Eve often went to the tree under which she first awoke to lie naked
beneath its broad full branches, for Eve was quite secure in her body image. On occasion, Eve spoke to
Nammu, thanking the Great Mother for all She had provided, and asking for Her permission.
"May I now show him, Mother?" Eve implored.
"Oh, daughter," Nammu said. "Be careful what you long for. If you feed the Fruit of Knowledge to Adam, he will
not appreciate it as much as if he were to come to it on his own. If he seeks it, openly and without remorse or
judgment, that will be proof."
And so it came to be that Eve and Adam happened to pass by the Tree of Knowledge on their way to bathe in
the river Tigris. Upon approach, Adam suddenly spoke, brushing the rough bark with his hand.
"I have dreamed of such a tree," Adam told Eve. "In the time before."
Eve held her breath as Adam reached for a round ripe red apple, sprinkled with morning dew. Adam held the
fruit out to Eve and said, "Eat that you may be nourished, goddess."
Eve smiled. "You first."
Adam breathed deeply of the fruit's skin then opened his mouth and took a big bite.
All at once, Adam's eyes grew wide. He began to cough and choke and shake and pitch, then fell to the
ground as though asleep. Eve backed away, remembering Michael's reaction to eating the fruit. He'd become
angry, even aggressive, but Eve had been able to subdue him with wristlocks and groin kicks she'd learned
from Bear.
Adam lay on the grass for a long time, unmoving, and then suddenly he opened his eyes and looked at Eve.
"Goddess," he whispered, and Eve went to him.
"It is no dream," Adam told her. "How blessed I am that you have chosen me above all others. I will edify your
being, for I come from you. Without woman, man's breath is taken. I did not truly know, until now. Mother,
sister, companion, friend...I will forever lift you high and hold you there, for without you there is no life."
And so it came to pass that the second woman Eve and the twenty-third man Adam lived with unconditional
acceptance, mutual respect, deep appreciation, true passion, great humor, and eternal love in the Garden the
Great Mother had created for them to look after together. Adam made mistakes, as did Eve (although not as
often). But each reveled in learning...and teaching with utmost care and patience.
~*~
High above the Garden, perched among the grand fig leaves, Nammu watched all that took place, smiling
often and laughing into the wind. After Eve and Adam produced two healthy, inquisitive children, a boy named
Cain and a girl named Able (for she truly was), Nammu made a note on Her list.
Respect and love one another. This is the only Law.
PS: Don't forget the stars.
| Make a donation |
Morgen Leigh began fabricating stories when she was three-years-old. At the
age of six, she began putting her dark flights of fancy down on paper. A
voracious reader as a youngster, Morgen spent entirely too much time with her
nose stuck in a book and playing with the wood elves in her expansive
backyard. She also enjoyed scaring the hell out of friends and family with her
unsettling, dark tales. At the impressionable age of 11 she read Sybil and
promptly struck out on a quest to learn everything there was to know about the
human psyche, with an ever-deepening interest in the darker aspects of human
behavior. This quest led her to pursue a double major in psychology and
sociology at the University of Colorado, where she obtained a masters degree in
sociology with an emphasis in social psychology and deviance.
Morgen's fiction and creative non-fiction stories have appeared in Twilight Times,
Apollo’s Lyre and The S’Peaker. She is an active member of Pikes Peak
Writers and volunteers at their conference every year. She is currently finishing a
second novel and outlining a third.
age of six, she began putting her dark flights of fancy down on paper. A
voracious reader as a youngster, Morgen spent entirely too much time with her
nose stuck in a book and playing with the wood elves in her expansive
backyard. She also enjoyed scaring the hell out of friends and family with her
unsettling, dark tales. At the impressionable age of 11 she read Sybil and
promptly struck out on a quest to learn everything there was to know about the
human psyche, with an ever-deepening interest in the darker aspects of human
behavior. This quest led her to pursue a double major in psychology and
sociology at the University of Colorado, where she obtained a masters degree in
sociology with an emphasis in social psychology and deviance.
Morgen's fiction and creative non-fiction stories have appeared in Twilight Times,
Apollo’s Lyre and The S’Peaker. She is an active member of Pikes Peak
Writers and volunteers at their conference every year. She is currently finishing a
second novel and outlining a third.
