The narrative begins in the Garden of Eden, where God searches for Adam after he and Eve have eaten the forbidden fruit. Adam, hiding with Eve, blames her for their disobedience. This act of defiance introduces sin into the world, leading to humanity's moral decline. God, angered by mankind's wickedness, decides to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah, a righteous man who walks with God. God commands Noah to build an ark from gopher wood, providing specific instructions for its construction. Despite facing ridicule from the community for his seemingly absurd task, Noah perseveres, preaching repentance to the mocking crowd. As the time of judgment approaches, God instructs Noah to enter the ark with his family and pairs of every animal. Once inside, God seals the ark, and the flood begins. For forty days and nights, rain pours down, and the earth is submerged. The ark floats on the tumultuous waters, while those outside, who had scorned Noah, desperately seek refuge but find the door barred. After a year adrift, the waters recede, and the ark comes to rest on Mount Ararat. Noah sends out a dove to find dry land, which returns with an olive leaf, signaling the end of the flood. Upon exiting the ark, Noah expresses gratitude and reverence for the earth. God then establishes a covenant with Noah, symbolized by a rainbow, promising never to destroy the world by flood again, indicating that future judgments will come in a different form.
By James Weldon Johnson · First published 1930 · Genre: Religious Literature, Poetry, Fable