God asked Noah for a big boat of wood. And Noah did all that God told him. Tap, tap, tap went the hammer. The boat had a wide door in its side. Then the animals began to come.

Two by two.

The elephants came, slow and heavy. Two by two. The sheep came, baa, baa. Two by two. The little birds came, cheep, cheep. Two by two. The lions came, quiet as sleepy cats. Two by two.

Everyone went inside the ark. And God closed the door behind them. Outside, the rain began to fall. Drip. Drop. Drip, drop, drip. It rained all night long.

Inside the ark it was warm. The water rose slowly, and the ark rose too. And the ark rocked. It rocked very softly, like a great cradle on the water.

The elephants slept. Two by two. The sheep slept. Two by two. The little birds closed their eyes. Hush. Noah slept too.

Outside, the rain was singing softly. Drip. Drop. The ark rocked on the dark water. Now close your eyes, like the animals in the ark. Good night, little one. Sleep well.