And God remembered Noah. God remembered every animal inside the ark. A wind passed slowly over the water. And the rain stopped. All at once, the world went quiet. No drip. No drop. Only the water, moving slowly outside.

Noah opened the little window of the ark. He let a raven go, and it flew far away. Then he let a white dove go.

Off flew the dove. And back she came. There was nowhere to rest her small foot. Only water, water, water. Noah reached out his hand and took her in again.

Seven days went by. The ark rocked softly. Then Noah sent the dove out once more.

Off flew the dove. And back she came. In her beak she carried an olive leaf, green and new. Noah smiled. The land was drying at last.

Seven more days. Off flew the dove. And this time she did not come back. She had found a place to live.

Then the big door swung open. The animals walked out slowly, one family at a time. And high in the sky a great arch of colors appeared. It was God's sign, a gift of peace.

The rainbow glowed softly over the washed world. Hush now. It is time to sleep. Good night, little one.