Noah's Ark

Noah lived high on a green hill, and he always listened to God. Today, God asked him for something very, very strange.

'Noah,' said God, 'build a giant boat - big enough for your family and two of every animal.'

Noah looked around. Green hills. Dry grass. No water for miles. A giant boat... here?

'A great flood is coming,' God said. 'But trust Me, and every one of you will be safe.'

Noah told his wife. Her eyes went wide. 'A boat? On our hill?' 'God said so,' said Noah.

Noah did not understand it one bit. But he trusted God. 'Then we start today,' he said.

They stood and looked at the empty grass. Somewhere right here, a giant boat would grow.

The next morning, Noah began. He gathered wood - beams and planks, more than he could count.

He measured everything twice. 'It must be strong,' he said. 'Strong enough to float.'

Saw, saw, saw! The fresh wood smelled sweet, and a pile of planks grew tall.

Bang, bang, BANG! Nail by nail, the great boat began to rise.

People came to watch. 'A boat? On a hill?' They laughed. 'Silly old Noah!'

Noah heard them laughing. But he did not stop. He just kept building, plank by plank.

His wife worked right beside him. She never once called him silly.

Day after day, week after week, the boat grew taller than the trees.

Noah built three floors, one little window up high, and one big door in the side.

At last, Noah set down his hammer. The ark was finished - the biggest boat the world had ever seen.

Then Noah heard something. Thump... thump... THUMP. He turned around - and gasped.

Animals! Animals were coming from everywhere, over the hills, two by two.

Two elephants came first. THUMP, THUMP. 'Welcome, friends!' Noah laughed.

Two giraffes strolled up next, their long necks reaching the treetops.

Two lions padded close behind - soft and golden, and gentle as kittens today.

Then the little ones: mice and rabbits, scurrying and hopping, two by two.

And birds! The whole sky filled with birds, swirling down to the ark.

Noah threw the big door wide open. 'Up the ramp! There's room for everyone!'

Inside, every animal found a cozy spot of warm, soft hay.

Last of all, Noah and his wife climbed aboard. Everyone was safe inside.

Noah pulled the great door shut. BOOM. And outside, the sky turned grey.

Drip. Drop. Drip, drop. The first raindrops began to fall.

Then the rain came faster - faster and faster - until the whole sky was water.

But inside the ark, it was warm and dry. The animals snuggled close.

Outside, the water rose. Up the hill, up the trees, higher and higher.

Then the great ark groaned, and lifted, and began to FLOAT!

Up it rose, until the whole world was one wide sea - and the little ark floated safe.

Some animals trembled. Noah knelt down. 'Don't be afraid. God is keeping us safe.'

They listened to the rain drum on the roof. Snug and safe, no one was afraid.

For forty days the rain fell. Then one morning - silence. The rain had stopped.

Noah climbed up to the little window and looked out. Water. Water everywhere.

So they waited. Noah fed the animals, his wife sang to them, and the days drifted by.

One day, Noah had an idea. He cupped a little white dove in his hands.

'Go, little dove,' he whispered. 'Find us some dry land.' And away she flew.

The dove flew far over the water, searching and searching. But there was nowhere to land.

That evening she fluttered back, tired. No dry land yet. So they waited a little longer.

Seven days later, Noah lifted the dove to the window again. 'Try once more, little friend.'

This time she came back with something in her beak - a tiny GREEN olive leaf!

Noah's eyes filled with happy tears. 'A leaf! Trees are growing. Land is near!'

Lower and lower sank the water. Then - bump! - the ark rested on a mountaintop.

Noah pushed open the great door. Warm sunshine and fresh air rushed in.

'Go, friends! The world is new again!' Out poured the animals, leaping and free.

Noah knelt on the soft green grass. 'Thank You, God, for keeping us all safe.'

Then God painted something across the sky - a rainbow, glowing in every color.

'This is My promise,' said God. 'I will always love you.' So whenever you see a rainbow - remember.