The Serpent Curse - Epilogue
#12 of The Serpent Curse
EXT. AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE - DAY
LONG SHOT:
Kiah leads the deceived animals down from the Tree, where Joey awaits. He gives them aid and comfort, sharing in their loss.
KIAH (V.O.): Animals were never separated from God the same way humans were. The Serpent may have been cursed, but it wasn't a personal attack to our character. It was just something that was, something used to emphasis the consequences of eating from the Tree.
EXT. GARDEN OF EDEN OLD - DAY
A realistic view of the Serpent hanging from the Tree, speaking to Eve.
KIAH (V.O.): The Serpent was just a tool in Satan's game, and didn't sin willingly as Adam and Eve did.
A limbed female snake watches from the distance. Disappointment on her face, she turns to leave deeper into the Garden.
KIAH (V.O.): And we don't really know what became of the Mother of all Snakes...
EXT. ARABIAN DESERT OLD - DAY
The Limbed Snake watches over a nest of eggs as they hatch.
KIAH (V.O.): Perhaps the effects of the Tree of Knowledge didn't carry over to the next generations of snakes as fully as the Curse.
As they come out, it quickly becomes apparent that none of them have limbs either. The Mother of All Snakes watches them move about, heartbroken. She turns to see her husband, The Serpent, laying off to the side, his face filled with regret.
INT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE HOLLOW - DAY
Kiah enters the hollow. Critter stands and watches from the outside.
KIAH (V.O.): But I fear it's no longer that simple. Satan may have made the Serpent deceive Adam and Eve, but the Serpent chose to do wrong as well.
Kiah slips out of the amulet, letting it lie on the floor of the hollow. She backs out, and watches as the amulet lights up and starts to pull energy from the Tree. New growth begins to spiral out, filling in the hollow, sealing up the amulet forever.
EXT. FLINDERS RANGES - DAY
Joey approaches the place where he last saw his family, looking around cautiously.
KIAH (V.O.): Many other animals have now eaten from the fruit of the Tree, and the beasts of the Earth may no longer be as pure as they once were.
Joey sees his Mum standing on the rocks in the distance, and rushes up to her. Reaching her, he hugs her, pressing his face into her fur in tears. Wallaby Mum looks down at him with love, and holds him tight.
INT. PORTLAND: MILLER MUSEUM - DAY
The Cross is on its pedestal at the museum.
KIAH (V.O.): But if Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was good enough for mankind, perhaps it's good enough for beast as well.
INT. HABIBAH'S HOUSE - DAY
Habibah steps through the door of her family's house, bags in hand.
KIAH (V.O.): I still wish I could have done better for Habibah, but I wouldn't know how. I guess she has her own things to work through, and I don't think there's any more I could've done.
Habibah's Um comes into the room, and Habibah drops her bags as Um hugs her tight.
INT. FLASHBACKS
Various moments of Kiah's Adventure.
KIAH (V.O.): Looking back, I think I may have taken the Serpent Curse too personally. Maybe I should have seen my lack of limbs as a limitation in my design rather than an insult to who I am.
EXT. TREE OF KNOWLEDGE - DAY
The Sun shines brightly in the sky.
KIAH (V.O.): Unfortunately, even the way I used to be is gone. I may not be able to move the way I used to, but I have become immortal. Immortality I probably shouldn't have.
Kiah spirals her way up the Tree of Knowledge, and the Tree of Life, her joints still CRACKLING, but looking more comfortable with it than before.
KIAH (V.O.): So I'm taking it upon myself to protect the Tree, to use the caution reserved for those of my kind to make sure no one else falls because of its fruit.
Critter joins Kiah, and scrambles up the tree after her.
KIAH (V.O.): To many, I may remain as feared above all creatures, but now there are those who know that is not my true worth, I can still do good.
SPIRALING, SPIRALING, Kiah reaches the highest branches of the Tree. Critter holds back as she stops, overlooking the wide view of the Australian landscape.
KIAH (V.O.): Ironic how as Serpent used the Tree to deceive Adam and Eve, so Serpent has become its Guardian. And perhaps that's reconciliation enough.
And we CLOSE ON KIAH, a look of contentment on her face.
FADE OUT