This work describes the authors experiences in both Spanish and English literacy development. It illustrates the bilingualbicultural experience of acculturation and assimilation a process of change both culturally and linguistically. The Eagle and the Serpent does so in three levels autobiographical narratives in biliteracy acquisition expository reflections from the viewpoint of a bilingualbicultural MexicanAmerican adult and finally an analysis of the process evident in the authors experience. Interspersed in the autobiographical elements Palacios reflects on his spiritual journey of religious conversion from Mexican Catholicism to American Evangelicalism. After discussing immigration acculturation and literacy the story ends with an appended poem that reflects many immigrant childrens lives of metamorphosis.