A New Beginning

Genesis 8

When at long last the rain stopped, Noah heard a strong

wind blowing. He was glad to hear it whistling around the
ark, for he knew that it would help to dry the ground.
Gradually the water sank lower and the ark that had
floated and drifted helplessly for so many days, grunted and
groaned and ground to a halt on the mountains of Ararat.
How good it was to be steady and firm on land again! But
still they could not venture out of their hiding-place.
Noah waited patiently for six more long weeks, then he
released a raven, to see if there was land to settle on. The
raven was glad to be free that he stayed, circling the air,
waiting for the tree-tops to reappear.
Then Noah set free a dove, but by night time she had come
back home to her master and the familiar ark. Noah gently
took her inside, waited another week and sent her off again.
This time she flew back with an olive leaf in her beak.
How excited everyone was to see something green and
growing once more!
Noah waited patiently for another week, then sent the
dove off for a third time. She did not come back.
Now Noah knew for sure that there was enough dry land
for them all to leave the ark. He took of the huge roof
covering of the ark, letting in a stream of welcome daylight.
Then God spoke to Noah. “Go out of the ark,” he said, “all of
you. the flood is over.”

Taken from: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories by Mary Batchelor