Caleb and the Chosen Family

It all started with the great rains. My great, great ancestor Caleb was a young man at that time. He had not married, fearing the sins of his city. He wasn't sure whether any woman is faithful at all. He was about to leave for a far-away land, taking whatever he had saved from his trade. While he was about to set sail however, he saw the family of his friend Shem gathering wood and building something.

"What are you building, Shem?"

His friend just smiled and walk about his way, with a heavy on his shoulders. Curious and sympathetic to his childhood playmate, he walked with him and helped him with his burden. Shem started talking.

"My father got a command from the Great God. We are going to build a boat, a big boat". Shem looked confused.

"Hey, I have a boat. Why don't you buy mine? I am going away anyway. I am trying my ..."

"You don't understand, Caleb. The world is going to end. For most of you it will", Shem said shaking.  Tears were rolling down from his cheeks.

"Why are you talking this way?"

"We have angered God for the last time. And He will strike us with His mighty arm. The waters will be released from the clouds and everyone will die". Shem was still shaking, but he started walking again. He never looked at Caleb.

"That is unfair, isn't it? I mean, I have been good all my life. And I know of some old people in our neighborhood who are very just. They never get what does not belong to them. I thought your God was good. You should tell him to inquire more. Ask around...Before..."

But Shem did not listen to his words. Instead, he hurried about his business leaving Caleb behind.

My great, great ancestor took all he had and prepared to leave the town. As he passed by the square, he heard people mocking the family of Shem, saying bad things about them.

"Where is the rain? It has been months that they were building that big boat."

Caleb stopped. What if Shem was right? Even if he goes to another town, surely the waters will overflow there and drown him. He grew afraid.

That night, the town had a great feast. The young men and women engaged in pleasure - men to men, women to men, women to women. Even the children were not spared. At all these, Shem and Caleb looked from afar.

"This is the night, Caleb. Tomorrow, all these things will be no more. God will unleash the waters from heaven, and all these people will die". Shem looked straight at Caleb. He looked so frightened and did not know what to do.

"My father and mother are dead. My brothers and sisters are in town engaged in the pleasures of the flesh. I am all ..."

"I pity you, Caleb. But my father will not allow it. God has specific orders for..."

"Shem. Who is your friend? Come on in. It is almost time."

"Is that...?"

"My father, Noah. He is asking me to go inside now. But, you will surely ...." Shem could not bear to look at Caleb. He ran towards his father.

He followed him.

"Father, I am Caleb. You know me."

"Yes, I do. You are ...how big you've become now."

"I have not been impure, father. I have not wronged any man or woman. I have been just all my life. How could it be that your God..."

"I cannot speak about this to you. I cannot speak for our great God", Noah replied.

"Let me in. Save me also."

"I...I..." Noah cannot answer immediately.

"You have to consult the...Him?"

"Yes, I cannot. This is not mine. God's Ark is his."

He labored all night pleading his cause to Noah. In the end, he said that he will gladly stay with the animals just to be inside the ark. And he asked the old man to simply open a small window that night. 

"If God wills it. I will be able to enter."

This he did and Caleb, after much effort managed to stay the night with the animals. He had some bread with him, some water, his money bag, his lamp, a little oil and staff he made from breaking his paddle.

The morning came again, and it looked peaceful. There was no sign of rain at all. He would've left the ark already, but a small girl came to him and called him up. The family of Noah was praying. They prayed with closed eyes and held hands together. He held the hand of Cam, Shem's brother, and the little girl who called him. When they finished praying, Noah uttered the words: "Thanks be to you, oh Great God. So be it."

At that moment, it started to rain. And it rained on and on for so many days. At first, there were rejoicing from outside. The people were even mocking them inside the ark, telling them to go out and enjoy the blessing of the skies. But they stayed put.

When it has rained for about a week, water started to rise. Some people were already knocking on the door of the ark, but they did not heed their call.

When it has rained for about a month, most of the villagers were washed away. Many fleed to the mountains. But, water soon overtook them. Soon, there were shrieks and cries from outside. But they did not heed them. Inside the ark, Noah's family prayed. Caleb stayed downstairs with the animals. He was afraid also. More so because he did not have a relation with any of the people upstairs. He did not know nor has spoken to their god. He never offered him anything. Hence, he was afraid that water might kill him also. But he did not budge.

When the rain stopped, there was much rejoicing in the boat. They were dancing and singing and drinking wine. They even invited Caleb to join them, but he did not. He just stayed downstairs. Again, the little girl was sent to fetch him. He agreed and joined them. Noah was happy that he came up at last.

"We are glad that you were with us. As you said, it is the will of God."

Caleb brought his own food and water, and in the beginning, lived on them. He knows that the family of Shem counted provisions only for themselves and the animals. One more person might be too much. But soon after, his provisions were consumed. He tried to buy from Shem, but he was offended by his gesture and did not talk to him for many days. The little girl came to bring him food and water.  When he tried to pay for them, she said that her father Noah gave it to him and that it's free.

When they finally left the boat, they were very glad. They began kissing the land and were glad that grass began to grow again.

"It looked all the more beautiful," Noah's wife said.

Then, they prayed. The little girl motioned to the sky, and they saw a colorful vision.

"It's a sign that God has forgiven our sins," Noah said.

"...And that he will no longer punish humans with a like disaster".

And they all knelt down and prayed. Caleb stood from behind them, with tears in his eyes. He has been saved. And though he did not know how to pray, he whispered "Thanks be to you, Great God of Noah. You saved my life and theirs as well."

Later on, he had to wave goodbye to them. He hugged his friend tight, who told him to take care.

He settled in a place near the Tigris River. He built his home there and became a fisherman again. He married the little girl, Ninuah, granddaughter of Noah, who always came to him on the ark.

On the night of their wedding, his father-in-law took pride and told him his inventions in agriculture, including a special kind of drink - something better than the usual wine they drank then. Noah got very drunk that day and cursed a lot. When his son Ham came, he made fun of Noah because he cursed a lot. He also danced and danced until his garments came off. Ham was also a bit drunk and he took his father's garments and hid them. When his brothers discovered what he has done, he was banished from the family. Noah cursed him and gave blessings to Japheth and Shem.

Caleb and Ninuah lived for many years and built a village from their children and children's children. He named that village after his wife Ninuah. Later, it will be called Nineveh.

When they died, their bodies were burned. He was 459 years old when he died. Ninuah lived for ten years more after his death. She led our clan in those times, before dying at 450 years old. At the time of the burning of the two bodies, there were 12 generations of children and children's children gathered around their funeral.