GENESIS

Cain and Abel

Genesis chapter 4

Cain's POV

"Cain, Abel" my father said as he walked out the door " come"

Abel, my little brother by two years and I jumped off the floor and headed to our dad.

"Wait" my mum said holding me back as Abel finally reached my dad. " I want to check his wounds first"

I frowned at her, it was just a scratch but mum was always very protective of me. My dad told me to meet him on the way as he held Abel's hand and walked away.

My mum knelt down to a little below my level and took my hand in hers as she examined my bruises.

"Mum there's really nothing to worry about" I sighed, I was already 13 but she wouldn't stop treating me the way she did when I was 5.

"I want you to be careful Cain" she let go of my hand and held my face " don't force yourself too hard to impress your dad"

I looked away in annoyance. My dad was a farmer. He cultivated crops and reared animals. I'm the oldest, I'm meant to be stronger but sadly my little brother was always better than me, mostly with the animals.

They terrified me, especially the turkeys, little but dangerous. I had hurt myself trying to gather them together to impress my dad, not only didn't it work , I just disappointed him the more.

It was obvious my dad loved Abel more than me. Maybe that's why mum was trying to so hard to give me much attention.

"Ok mum" I said and ran outside immediately to meet my dad.

~~~
About 5 years later, just when the sun began to set, my dad sat us both down on the floor in front of him.

"My sons" he said, a serious tone in his voice.

"Yes dad" we said in unison. I was uncomfortable and so was Abel by the way he tightened his grip on the cloth of his trousers.

Dad hardly ever talked to us. It was always mum, and when he did, it was to correct us. He was tall and built. No amount of clothing could hide the hard muscles underneath.

He always kept a straight face except when he was with Abel. We could see he loved our mum but there was always this uneasiness surrounding them like there was a burden or grudge still on top of their heads.

"Starting from tomorrow,  you boys are to take over work" he said staring at us intently as if to see any sign of fear or maybe laziness. " Cain " he eyes seemed to bore right through my brain as he called my name " choose between the livestock and the crops "

My palms became sweaty as I tried to think of an answer. I couldn't possibly choose livestock, I'll get killed before I'd even start anything. I was older and stronger but it was obvious I wasn't fit for the job. But would I really leave my younger brother with the harder job. What kind of older brother am I

"The crops" I said, avoiding eye contact with my dad. I couldn't believe I just said that. I think I'm even more disappointed in myself than my dad.

"That's final. I expect the best from both you"

"We won't fail you dad" Abel said with confidence. Dad immediately got up without another word and left the house.

He was going to offer a sacrifice to God. Mum and dad told us that He was our creator and the creator of the world. I was always amazed when my dad went to offer sacrifices to Him. But, that was all they said. They never talked about what had happened before I was born. Even when I tried to ask my mum she'd always change the subject; like she was scared.

Soon my brother and I would have to start offering sacrifices since we are going to start working.

~~~

"I'm actually anxious " Abel said as soon as we lay on the floor to sleep, without facing each other. "I wonder how it's going to be like, working without dad"

I rolled my eyes, he obviously has nothing to worry about. He's perfect

"I'm sure you'll do great" I tried to hide the envy in my voice"

"Yes, but..." wow he actually agreed

"Goodnight Abel" I said, shutting him up
"Goodnight Cain"

~~~

Some time had passed and I actually was proud of the work I had done. I didn't have to worry about being compared to my brother and the crops were always in good shape.

It was the night of our first sacrifice and I was excited. I had gathered some crops and was ready for the journey.

My brother and I were to trek up a hill and wait for what would happen. Our parents didn't tell us what would come next.

Abel's load was huge compared to mine but I knew he had livestock and I had crops so it was obviously going to look bigger than mine.

We reached the top of the hill with beads of sweat rolling down our backs and the moon making our faces glitter.

We placed our sacrifices on the ground and I saw Abel's fat and clean sacrifice.

"Now what?" He asked and almost immediately.  A large ball of fire seemed to come down from the heavens and devour Abel's sacrifice. 

We both jumped back, scared. But when the shock was over, I looked at my sacrifice in anticipation.  But... nothing happened.

"I don't understand, what about mine?" I frowned. " why wasn't it accepted?"

If you do well, will it not be accepted  a still calm voice said to me, and me alone.

When I realized it was the voice of God, I became angry. I took my sacrifice and ran down the hill, as I ignored the calls of my brother, tears threatening to spill.

~~~
The next day, on the field as Abel worked, I began to think about the night before.

Even God loved him more than me. I thought. I wish I was never born. I wish he was never born.

Kill him

An eerie voice said as my grip tightened around my hoe. No I said to myself, shaking my head.

Do it

Before I could think, the hoe came down on his head, piercing into his skull as his body grew limp and he crashed to the ground, blood gushing out the deep hole I had made.

My heart beat accelerated.  What have I done. I quickly buried the hoe with shaky hands. I'd say he was attacked. I'll say I found him like that after I came back from the river.

What have I done. I ran as fast as I could, not knowing were I was going. I couldn't think. What was I doing.

Where is Abel your brother

The voice of God came to me, as I felt my heart leap out of my chest.

"How would I know, am I my brother's keeper? " I said in haste.

What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from.yhe earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from the ground. When you till the ground, it shall not hereafter yield to you its strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shall you be in the earth.

"My punishment is greater than I can bear" I said, all I knew how to do was cultivate crops. I've destroyed my life because of my envy. I began to cry. I was scared, where would I go? Will I get killed too?

Therefore whosoever slays you, vengeance shall be taken on him tenfold.

He spoke, knowing my thoughts.  With fear, I ran away from my home, never to look back.

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Well you can read the rest of the chapter in the Bible. Remember this is not totally accurate a lot was added to try to make you understand. But I do suggest you go back to read your Bible for more information.

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