ONE AFTERNOON WHILE we were working in the clearing, my uncle Irad paid us an unexpected visit. Traveling alone was not uncommon in those days, so the fact that he had made a long journey upstream by himself was not surprising. But what was out of the ordinary was that he had come to see us at all.
Hello, Brother, said Papa. What brings you all the way up here?
I heard a report and decided to investigate it for myself, said Irad.
I suspected it wasnt a social visit. But first rest yourself for a bit. You must be weary after a long journey. Japheth, dip the cup in the spring for your uncle while I get the bread and cheese.
Irad was taller than Father and thinnerbuilt more like my Grandfather Lamech. While he refreshed himself, Papa told him of the birth of Shem and other news of the nearby families. He also instructed me to go home and inform Mama that we would have a guest that evening, probably as much to spare me from what followed as it was for the sake of the preparations. But I was anxious to hear what Uncle Irad had to say and lingered behind the lumber pile for a few minutes to eavesdrop.
When Irad had finished eating and drinking, he indicated the lumber for the ark with a sweep of his hand and said, Now tell me of this.
Ah, I knew youd get around to that, said Papa. The Lord has commanded me to build a great project.
What is it?
An ark.
Irad pondered this for a moment. You mean a boat? Some of our young men hollow out trees to make canoes and float them in the river for sport. But you have felled enough trees for our entire clan and you fashion them strangely.
No, Brother. This is not for many canoes, but for one large boat.
Only one!
And this is not the tenth part.
Youre mocking me, said Irad, bristling. A gigantic boat a mile from the river?
I am not mocking you, said Papa. This is what the Lord told me to do.
And why, pray tell, did he say to do this?
To be a witness to the people that they need to repent. Or else he is going to bring disaster upon us, said Papa.
Disaster? said Irad. Why do you say such things about the Creator? He would never do such a cruel thing.
You were there when the Ancient One spoke the oracle.
He is an old man in his dotage. No one took him seriouslyexcept for you.
The Lords holiness burns Papa started to say.
Against the Cainites, perhaps, Irad interrupted. Why dont you build this thing in Nod where it might do some good? Building it among your own tribe will make us a laughingstock.
Thats what this is really all about, isnt it?
Is the disgrace of our family a trivial matter? Its bad enough to have a brother who is accursed without the other one being thought a fool.
Gomer is not accursed, Papa countered.
Thats your opinion, said Irad. But bad luck has followed him since the day he was born.
I dont care what other people think
No, you dontand thats the problem, said Irad. But I do care. Our clan used to be the most respected of the entire tribe of Sethites. And now look at us.
You worry too much about your prestige, said Papa.
I will not sit here and be insulted, said Irad, rising to leave. You used to be a sensible man. I do not know what has happened to make you such a fool. The clan will not be pleased with my report. For your sake, I hope you come to your senses soon before you end up being shunned by the whole tribe.
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