>a plain reading of Genesis
>seems to point to man's immortality resting in the tree of life.
>Surely the animals of the earth did not travel the earth
>to refresh themselves from this tree.
Yes, a simple reading indicates that the Tree of Life -- symbolizing
our opportunity to live forever through the supernatural power of God
-- was available to HUMANS. After the Fall through sinful disobedience,
God decided (Genesis 3:22) to remove the source of eternal life so human
sinners would not live forever. An extension of eternal life from humans
to nonhumans is an extrapolation that does not seem warranted. Certainly
the main theme of Genesis 3 is the human consequences of human sin.
Craig