An old Roman senator, embarks on what will most likely be his last endeveavour, the retelling of the story of human creation. He recounts the history of the Clefts, an ancient commmunity of women living in an Edenic, coastal wilderness, confined within the valley of an overshadowing mountain. They have no need, nor knowledge of men, until the unheralded birth of a new child - a boy - threatens the harmony of their community.