There is an ancient Sumerian legend of a king named (Ut)Napishtim. He was said to be kind in a time when many were not. The Gods were becoming quite bothered by bad behavior on Earth, & intended to wash everything clean. The Goddess Ea thought that was a waste & warned Utnapishtim, who threw all his resources into building the biggest boat he could. He did not claim he could preserve all the species, but saved as many people & animals as he could. After the rain stopped he released a dove, but it returned soon after. Later he released
a raven which did not return, giving the people hope. They rowed in the direction the raven flew, & found the land it perched on. Ea asked "do you see how brave & resourceful they are? Do you still want to destroy everything?" The other Gods agreed they had gone too far & restored life to the devastated world.
