Turning his head coquettishly, the serpent flattered Eve, praising her intelligence and her great beauty. “We were told to beware of this tree,” Eve thought apprehensively, “but we were instructed that angels would be our tempters. What harm could there be, conversing with this strange talking-serpent?” she wondered.

Curious about the reptile, Eve continued to gaze on the tree and the serpent and then she spoke, answering the animal’s question, “”We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “Do not eat of it, do not touch it, lest you die.”

Fixing his beady eyes on Eve, the serpent blurted, “You will not surely die: for God knows that in the day you eat the fruit of this tree, your eyes shall be opened, and you will be as gods, knowing good and evil. Condescendingly picking a piece of fruit and placing it into Eve’s hand the reptile said, “Here hold the fruit, taste it, you will not die.”

Eve held the forbidden fruit in her hand and hesitated. She had been told to stay away from this tree. “Eve, you held the fruit, it did not kill you. Taste it, you will be like God.” The winged creature urged Eve. After taking a first reluctant bite, the woman thought excitedly, “This is good!”