God stood upon the world, and its goodness was clear to perceive with each of His three heads. All were equal components of the Divinity, differing only in aspect and temperament.  One, Most Eminent, studied a checklist; the second, Lordly Radiance, scanned the seas and mountains and the new foliage from three Divine Days ago; and the third, Cerulean Might, looked upon the flying birds and frolicking beasts that had been created only Yesterday in Godly terms. So far, all was going according to plan.

At the Divinity’s feet stood the latest creation: Humanity. Male and female they’d been created, each in Godly image but with singular heads, in a breeding population of ten thousand to get things going solidly. 

God was weary from the labor of the last six days, but there were many, many things to accomplish yet. Most studied the checklist, a worried scowl crawling over His features, as Lordly finished addressing the assembled humans, giving them dominion over all the seed-bearing plants and the creatures that possessed the Breath of Life.

Meanwhile, Cerulean chewed thoughtfully. “Hmm. These things, these [i]apples…?[/i]”

“I thought they were pomegranates?” said Lordly.

“Whatever. They’re pretty good. As they age, they start giving Me a tingly sensation on My tongue when I eat them.” 

“Oh, really?” said Most.

“And then I start getting the same tingly sensation in My brain…”

“You’re not alone,” said Lordly, his eyes starting to lose their focus.

“I’m feeling it too,” said Most, His head wavering. “Maybe You should stop eating those fruits.”

“But they’re so [i]good![/i]” said Cerulean, popping another handful (several trees’ worth) of brown mushy spheres into His mouth. “Hmm. Maybe You’re right, Mo’. That last bunch tasted [i]really[/i] tingly.”

“I find I am no longer able to focus Our power with any reliable accuracy,” said Lordly with deliberate slowness and slurred voice, “and I am further feeling the weight of Our six days of labor. I suggest We take a short break.”

“But, Lorrie, the schedule…” Most blinked, and His vision started to blur. “Very well, I see Your point.”

God approached two mountain ranges, which wavered and resolved into one as He grew near. The Divine Presence sank into a peaceful pose, heads arrayed on the cool snowy peak.  “Ah, a rest!” said Most. “But [i]just[/i] an hour; there’s so much left to do…”

Soon, thunderous snores from three drooping heads rolled across the lands, and the assembled humans stared up in unease, then increasing dismay.

[hr]

A whole Divine Day later, The Divinity arose, trying to clutch Its three heads with two hands. The snows had melted from the mountains in the heat of the hangover.

“Ugh. Those apples--” began Most.

“Pomegranates?” said Lordly.

“Whatever they were. I want them banned! [i]Verboten![/i]” cried Most. He scrabbled for the checklist and seized it just as Cerulean and Lordly gasped in dismay. The once-verdant hills were brown; the creatures that depended on the desiccated plants had perished, the creatures that depended on the creatures that depended on plants had perished, and the humans had run out of dried leaves and dead creatures and perished as well.

“Cerulie! This is Your fault, You numbskull!” cried Most, striking Cerulean on his bald pate.

Lordly spoke in deep sadness. “Everything’s dead, Mo’; We’ll have to start from scratch.”

“We can’t, Lorrie!” said Most, the checklist fluttering in his trembling hand. “We’ve sunk most of Our power into this thing. Can’t We just rebuild from what’s left?”

“Well, this human here…” Lordly pointed to a dusty form. “He’s moribund, but let’s see if We can breathe some life back into him. Then We can try to restore some plants and a few animals and restart the ecosystem. Maybe create some basic species and use natural selection to close the gaps…” Lordly noted the panic and frustration growing in the others. “…I think it’s the best We can do right now,” He finished quietly.

“What about the female humans?” said Cerulean. “We’ve lost Our breeding stock!”

“If I get this one going, We can use some flesh from him to recreate them. Let Me work!” Lordly raised the corpse to infuse it with Divine Breath.

Most stared at the checklist in horror. The whole plan was ruined; this project would only be a shadow of what the Divine Will had intended. He wanted to scream. “What’s that human’s name, anyway?” He said instead.

Cerulean rolled His eyes, then winced and clutched His aching head. “Ah… [i]damn.[/i]”