Adapa and the Bread of Life
Retold by John Matthews © 2007, used with permission

The man was named Adapa, and he alone was permitted to serve at the Gods' table. Ea had given him great wisdom, enough to understand the shape of creation itself. Every day he baked bread, fetched water, and fished in the sea. With his skills he stocked the temples and brought good things to those who lived in the city of Eridu. So he was considered the wisest among men, a pattern of the Gods' creation, subtle and astute.

But, though Adapa was wise and skillful, he was also mortal. Death would find him in the allotted time, and he would vanish into the realm of the Underworld.

Now it happened that one day the stocks of fish in the temple of Ea fell short, and Adapa saw this and was mindful to catch some more. He went to the quayside and boarded the moon-boat that lay at anchor there. A fresh wind blew and Adapa let the craft run before it. Soon he was far out in the ocean, and there he cast his nets.

Then the South wind began to blow. So strong was it that Adapa's boat capsized and he was thrown into the world of the fish. As he struggled in the grip of the waves Adapa called out in anger: "South Wind, may your wings break!"

As he spoke the wings of the wind broke indeed, and the ocean became still. Adapa righted the Moon Boat and sailed safely back to the city.

For seven days thereafter the wind was silent, until at length it came to the attention of the King of Heaven.

"Why has the South wind stopped blowing?" demanded Anu of his servant Ilabrat.

"Lord, the man Adapa, Ea's son, has broken the South Wind's wings with his anger."

When he heard this Anu rose from his throne and went to speak with Ea. "This man, Adapa, has done an evil thing and must be punished," said Anu. "Fetch him hither."

So Ea summoned the man and spoke with him. "Anu is angry," he said. "He will destroy you if you do not do as I say." And he advised Adapa to go in rags, with his face scratched and his hair uncombed as if in mourning. "Follow the path to the gate of heaven. When you arrive there you will see two gods waiting for you. They are Tammuz and Gizzida. Do not be afraid. They will ask you why you look like this. Tell them you are in mourning for them, who have left the earth. They will smile upon you because of this and will speak well of you to Anu. Do you understand this?"

Adapa trembled but nodded.

"Then," said Ea, "when you stand before Anu, he will offer you the bread of death. Do not eat it. Next he will offer you the water of death. Do not drink it. Next he will offer you a garment of light. Accept this, and anoint yourself with the oil that shall be given to you also. Do not forget this!"

The messenger came to bring Adapa before the King of Heaven. He led him up the roadway until they stood before the Eastern gate. There they met the two gods, Tammuz and Gizzida, just as Ea had foretold.

When they saw Adapa in his torn garments, with his hair uncombed and his cheeks scratched they said: "Why do you appear before us looking like this?"

"I am in mourning for two mighty gods who have left our land," said Adapa.

"Which gods are these?" they demanded.

"Why, Tammuz and Gizzida," answered Adapa.

Then the two gods looked at each other and smiled. "Come," they said. "Let us go before great Anu."

When they stood before the throne of heaven Anu looked down at Adapa and frowned. "Why did you break the wings of the South Wind?" he asked.

"Lord," replied Adapa, "I was fishing to bring more stocks to the house of my master, Ea, when the South Wind rose and capsized the boat of the Moon. In my anger I cursed the wind."

Anu frowned on the man, but Tammuz and Gizzida spoke kindly of him, and soothed the anger of the king.

Anu sighed. "What was Ea thinking about to make this creature like us, and to gift him with wisdom equal to ours?' He looked at Adapa, and said: 'Well, now that you are here there is only one thing to do. Bring the bread of life."

So they brought the bread of life, but Adapa, mindful of what Ea had told him, refused it.

Anu said, "Bring the water of life."

So they brought the water, but Adapa again refused.

Then they brought him the garment of light and oil to anoint himself and these Adapa took.

Then Anu laughed. "What a strange creature you are to be sure! Why do you refuse my gifts? Now you will never have eternal life."

"Lord, it was Ea who instructed me," answered Adapa.

Anu laughed again. "The loss is yours Adapa, as it will be of all who come after you." Then he showed the man the whole breadth and height and depths of heaven and gave him command over his own life and of those who came after. Then he sent Adapa back to the world of men.

And so, because of this man, who broke the wings of the South Wind and went into heaven to stand before the throne of Anu, humankind are mortal, and after the span of years decreed to them, they die. And sickness is theirs, that can be cured only by Ninkarrak, the Lady of Healing. And Ea was sad, for he had a liking for the creature he had formed, but even he dare not go against the decree of Anu.

John Matthews, a presenter at Mythic Journeys 2004 and 2006, is the author of numerous books primarily about the Arthurian, Celtic, shamanic and spiritual traditions. His well known works include The Celtic Shaman, Healing the Wounded King, and The Winter Solstice. Watch for The Trick of the Tale: Trickster Stories from Around the World by John Matthews and his wife Caitlín, due out in 2007 from Templar Publishing.

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