22. RETURN OF THE DOVE

Then, as matters grew worse. Noah sent forth a dove. “She is a gentle bird and will surely come again to her home,” he thought. And the dove did return, for she found only water, and no rest for her foot.

Then Noah waited seven days and again sent her out. And she came back, bringing in her beak a twig from the olive tree.

And all welcomed her with joy, for now they knew that the waters were falling.