Entering two by two
This is the story of Noah and his ark. The earth and all man kind had in time been turned evil in the sight of the Lord. The Lord was tired of the wicked ways of his creation and was saddened by this fact. The Lord knew that he could do better to create something else, so he decided to wipe mankind from the face of his earth.
Now there was a man named Noah. Noah was one with the Lord and that the Lord was pleased that this one man was so faithful. One day Noah sat in his home and the Lord spoke to him. The Lord told Noah that he was sick and tired of the wickedness that had befallen the earth. It was the Lord’s creation and the Lord was deeply troubled. The Lord spoke of what was to come. There would be a massive flood wiping out the earth’s entire population.
The Lord instructed Noah to build a vessel. He told him to build rooms within this vessel and to watertight the ark by applying pitch to the outside of the boat as well as the inside. The Lord also ordered a window and door to be put in along with the second and third decks.
The Lord commanded that when the time was right Noah was to board the ark with his kin, his wife and sons and his sons' wives. But before that he was to round up all species of the earth for they had begun to roam ever so closer to where the ark was being constructed.
Noah with all the information at hand called for his sons and their wives to begin the Lord’s work. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Shem and his wife and kids began to forage the surrounding area gathering any kind of edible vegetation. Ham and his wife and kids began to call to the animals, asking for their strongest members to step forward and accept the invitation into the ark. Japheth and his wife and kids began preparing the newly completed ark.
The
gray headed old man stood on the top of his vessel. He stood there
looking down upon many people. People from all parts of the earth had
come to listen to what the old one had been preaching. People and
animals. The forest could not hold secret the talk of man. No matter
what language they speak the language was universal. The old man spoke
an omen to which no man or animal could not pay attention to. The old
man talked of speaking to his god. And his god was not happy. He knew
something the others did not. His eyes were filled with the sadness of
knowing that what is to come will bring chaos to this world, yet he can
do nothing to stop it.
The old man silently raises one long trembling hand to address the
masses. The crowd quickly grew silent.
Noah starts telling the ancient Roman story of Jupiter: Jupiter was saddened by the human species in their lack of faith and humanity. Jupiter was also saddened at the thought of the destruction of his creation. Jupiter was very angry though and he decided to destroy humanity with his lightning bolts. Then after some thought he decided not to upset the heavens and called for the south winds. The south winds came and then Jupiter snatched all the clouds in the sky and plunged them together. Torrential rains plummeted to the earth. Jupiter then called for the highest waves of the oceans and they answered pummeling the human out of existence. The seas and rivers combined and together they raced across the lands knocking over trees drowning bushes but leaving temples and monuments in place. Jupiter is powerful and with his power of command over all things he has annihilated what was once known as the earth with the help of Iris and Neptune. (Ovid)
There was one man who survived. This one man had lasted in a small canoe which he had oared for days and days. The man’s canoe washed ashore on the side of a mountaintop far up into the cumulus clouds above the waterline. Another man could be seen in his boat hungry and frustrated by his tangled fishing line. And another could be seen flying in the heavens. No two or four legged beast could compete with the swift currents now riding down the plains. Cows could be seen floating down the roads. And the great white shark could now be seen stalking his prey in some one’s recently plowed field. Many die in the initial flooding while the others who survived the first wave slowly deteriorate by lack of wood or drinkable water.
This one man who survived prayed to the great Jupiter for some relief. And Jupiter hearing his laments had pity upon this one remaining man who had no mate and the rains ceased.
Noah ended his story and called for his sons. His sons having worked all day on their tasks were happy when they heard their father and quickly came home. The light from the sun was fading and they were ready for something to eat and their traditional end of the night story from their father Noah. After dining and finishing up what could be done before night, the clan of Noah settled down for one of their last restful nights of sleep before the waters come.
Bibliography
Storybook Introduction