The story from the Book of
Genesis which narrates how
Adam and Eve came to be cast out of the
Garden of Eden.
Although forbidden by
God to eat the fruit of the
Tree of Knowledge, Eve was persuaded by a
serpent to taste the apple which she then offered to Adam. Having done so they became aware of their
nakedness. As
punishment for their disobedience they were expelled from the Garden in order to prevent them gaining
immortality from the fruit of the
Tree of Life, which was guarded by an
angel with a sword.
Adam was forced to till the land for
survival and
Eve was made to suffer
childbirth. The snake was also punished by losing its legs and being forced to crawl on its belly.
The narrative is important not simply as a morality tale; it also prefigured the Annunciation when Mary redeemed the sins of Eve.