I'm Betting There Was No Serpent.

I bet she didn't need a snake to tempt her. I'm sure she came upon the fruit while wandering alone. On a day when the low clouds were purple-gray and promising rain. On a day when the wind was strong enough to whisk away the scent of everything except wood smoke and the occasional pungent fermenting apple. On a day she had nothing on her mind, particularly, and therefore was surprised by the poignancy of the sight of the forbidden.

There it was, crimson against the dull green-brown leaves. There it was weighing down the branches. Beautiful. And too precious to rot on the branch, wasted.

She knew it would be crunchy, sweet, and nothing to regret. She had sense enough to see she deserved it. Everyone deserved such a thing.

And so she bit.