Not long after the beginning a being fell from the heavens to the earth. Even as the Spirit of God hovered overhead, the Serpent swam the waters below. As light divided from darkness, the Serpent chose the darkness, preferring it to the light. And the Serpent stalked the darkness of that first night.

New things began to appear on the earth--dry land, green plants, herbs, trees, fish, birds, creeping things, wild beasts, and livestock of every kind. From his dark hiding place the Serpent inspected each new creature, seeking a victim. And it was bad.

From the shadows he eavesdropped on the divine council, adding to its ringing words his own diabolical echo: