EVE’S PERSONALITY

A story my mother told me as a child, now retold for mothers and daughters:

When the Lord created Eve from Adam’s rib, He breathed into her a playful spirit so that his life would no longer be dull. Adam took Eve by the hand and led her home, his heart brimming with joy. She chirped and chatted like a bird, skipping and singing all the way.

Waking up the next morning, Adam was even happier to hear her laughter and stories of her dreams and future plans. He went to work in high spirits, promising a bountiful day. But upon his return, Adam listened to her talk and laugh for one hour, then two, then three… She rattled on incessantly about the latest gossip in the forest: the row between the gorilla couple next door, the story of Mr Owl who fell asleep and tumbled from his tree, breaking a talon… on and on it went.

The following morning, Adam woke with a splitting headache. He struggled to crawl to work while Eve’s machine-gun chatter followed him all the way to the forest’s edge. That evening, haunted by the echo of her voice, Adam took her back to the Lord. He complained of exhaustion; she talked of nothing but nonsense, repeating herself and constantly fussing over everything.

The Lord listened and decreed: “Very well, I shall grant her a gentle, soft, and delicate nature instead.” Adam joyfully led his now-sweet Eve home. She smiled tenderly, her footsteps as light as flower petals. She let out a soft whimper whenever a stray branch brushed against her. Adam shielded her, feeling like a true man.

But the next morning, he was startled to find Eve sobbing. It turned out she was heartbroken for a few sweet potatoes; a heavy rain had washed away the soil, exposing the young tubers and tearing their roots. After comforting her, Adam went to work with a heavy heart, worrying about what might happen to her in his absence. When he returned, he was horrified to find the house overrun with puppies, kittens, fledglings, and cubs—all fighting and screeching. After a frantic search, he found little Eve huddled under a palm tree. She had given up their home to shelter the brood of stray animals. It was past midnight before everything was settled. Exhausted, Adam sat up to watch over her while she slept.

At dawn, he skipped work and took Eve back to the Lord.

“What is it now?” the Lord asked, His voice rising. Adam explained his predicament. He needed a stronger wife, someone who could work and play, someone with problem-solving skills who could share the burden of life.

“You ask for a great deal,” the Lord replied. “But very well, I shall change her one last time.” With that, He breathed into Eve confidence, dynamism, wisdom, and empathy.

Adam breathed a sigh of relief. They became true companions, sharing deep conversations, playing forest games, and singing together with gusto. Adam soon realised she was even more capable than he was in many ways. They lived in perfect harmony for three days. But on the fourth day, Eve did not come home. She had befriended the tigers and leopards, gossiped with parrots, shared drinks with orangutans, raced with wild horses, and swung through the trees with the apes. She was clever enough to be fearless and brave enough to protect herself. Now, she understood and empathised with… the entire FOREST.

Adam was suddenly bewildered. She was no longer his alone. She no longer tended to the house; she was too busy with a thousand other things. When he hunted, she protected the woods. When he shared his troubles, she lectured him. When he returned late, she returned even later. What was he to do? The Lord had said this was the final change. Adam tried to endure it for a few more days, but he lost several kilograms from the stress. Meanwhile, Eve continued to transform: she looked younger, healthier, and had gathered a huge following of fans.

After pondering for several days and nights, Adam finally decided to take her to the Lord one last time. Upon seeing Him, he spoke immediately: “O Wise Lord, I do not ask to change her personality again. I only beg of You to give her all three natures—just a little of each.”

“A little of each? Hmph. How much is ‘a little’? And what shall I use to measure it?” After a moment’s consideration, the Lord said: “Let it be a matter of chance, then. I shall breathe all three personalities into her, and you must live with however much of each she receives.”

From that day on, every Eve has possessed a mixture of these traits and emotions. However, for each woman, the Lord breathed them in differently. Sometimes, He even sneezed while doing so. Consequently, no two women in this world are alike. Some are witty, some are gentle, some love to play, and others love to learn. And from then on, every Adam has had to work hard to find his other half. And even when they find her, she might not wish to be tied down.

Successive generations were born with a blend of both Adam’s and Eve’s traits. The situation has only grown more complicated… but such is life!

By MS THANH HUONG