Tablet XI of the Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh interrupts the hero's quest for immortality with a story within the story: Utnapishtim's account of how he alone among mortals survived the flood that once destroyed humanity. The god Ea, forbidden by the other gods from warning any human directly of their plan to wipe out mankind, instead whispered the coming disaster through the wall of a reed hut, seemingly to the hut itself, knowing Utnapishtim would overhear. Following Ea's instructions, Utnapishtim tore down his house to build a huge cube-shaped boat, sealed it with pitch and bitumen, and loaded it with his family, his wealth, skilled craftsmen, and the seed of every living creature.
When the storm broke, it raged for six days and nights with such violence that even the gods who had ordered it grew frightened and wept, cowering like dogs against the wall of heaven; the storm goddess Ishtar lamented that she had ever agreed to the destruction of the people she had borne. On the seventh day the storm subsided and the boat grounded on Mount Nimush. Utnapishtim released a dove, which found nowhere to land and returned, then a swallow, which also returned, and finally a raven, which did not come back, showing him the waters had receded enough to reveal land.