Adapa is the prime minister of Ea, who favors him so much that he has taught him all of his secrets. One day, Adapa is fishing in a boat on the Euphrates. He has just hooked the biggest fish he's ever seen when a sudden squall capsizes his boat. He loses the fish and utters a curse, breaking the wing of the South Wind. When Anu hears of this, he wants to meet him. Adapa is terrified and prays to Ea for guidance. Ea tells him what to do and then says, "But remember, you mustn't accept any food or drink from Anu because it is the Food of Death." Adapa tears his robe and spreads ashes over himself and then goes to Anu, clearly in mourning. There he meets Tammuz (Dumuzi) and Ningizsida, a god of fertility,who died. He is a snake with a human head.
When Adapa arrives, he is questioned. They ask why he is mourning. He says it is because two of the great gods have died. They are flattered and put in a good word for him with Anu. Anu then questions him, and then offers him food and drink. Adapa refuses. Anu is surprised and sends away the food and then laughs saying that he has just refused the Food of Immortality. He gives him a new robe. The robe is to remind everyone that priests get special treatment. The robe is symbolic of the expectation placed on the recipient of the robe. Archetype: The Lying Messenger