this is about Noah and the great flood: Not wanted on the Voyage, Timothy findley

"Everyone knows it wasn’t like that.

To begin with, they make it sound as if here wasn’t any argument; as if there wasn’t any panic - no one being pushed aside -noone being trampled -none of the animals howling – none of the people screaming blue murder. They make it sound as if the only people who wanted to get on board were Doctor Noyes and his family. Presumably, everyone else (the rest of the human race, so to speak) stood off waving gaily, behind a distant barricade...... they also make it sound as if there wasn’t any dread – Noah and his sons relaxed on the poop deck, sipping port and smoking cigars beneath a blue and white striped awning – probably wearing yachting caps, white ducks and blazers. Mrs Noyes and her daughters in love fluttering up the gangplank – neat and tidy – dry beneath their umbrellas – turning and calling; “goodbye, everybody!” and all their friends shouting ; “bon voyage!” while the daughters in law hand over their tickets, smiling and laughing – everyone being piped abroard and a band playing Rule Britannia and Over the Sea to Skye. Flags and banners and a booming cannon… like an excursion.

Well. It wasn’t an excursion. It was the end of the world. "