The Tower of Babel Tower Babylonia Tales from the Bible

There came a time when there was only one good man in all the world, and his name was Noah. Everybody else was bad. God wanted to start over fresh, so he told Noah to build an ark, and Noah did. God told Noah to fill the ark with animals, two of every kind, and Noah did. Noah and his family went aboard too. Then God made the rain come down. It rained and rained until there was a great flood that covered the world. Only those who were in the ark were safe and dry. Everybody else was drowned. Then God made the sun shine and dry up the rain. Everyone in the ark came out. Noah said, Look! God has sent us a sign in the sky. It means that he will never flood the world again. The sign in the sky was the very first rainbow. Noah had many, many descendants. As time went by, they all formed groups and settled in several different places. One such group, which had wandered far and wide, finally reached a place with fertile plains called Shinar in Babylonia. They all liked this place as soon as they arrived there. This is a beautiful place. I think we should all settle down here. What do you all say? Yes! Yes, it is indeed a lovely place. We can make this into a beautiful town, which will be the envy of everyone. So they all got together and set to work to create their dream city. They were very skilled workers, and they did make a city that was indeed worthy of pride. News of their beautiful city soon spread far and wide, and many people came to visit and admire it. One day, the head of the town called all the residents for a meeting. My dear friends, when we came here, we had decided to make a city that everyone would talk about and admire. Well, like you know, we have been able to achieve that. Not many have been able to match our expertise. However, I think that soon some people will be able to do what we have done, and maybe do it even better. We cannot allow that to happen. No, not at all! Well, I have been thinking about it a lot lately. We have to do something remarkable, which no one else can copy. Do you agree with me? Yes! I am glad to hear that. Well, I did think of something which I doubt anybody else can copy. I will need the cooperation of all my friends here to achieve that. Are you willing? Yes! There are some extremely skilled people amongst us who will be able to do what I have in mind. Tell us! I was thinking that we should build a tower. A tower? What is so special about a tower? I'm sure there are towers in many other cities. No, no, you don't understand. I was not thinking of an ordinary tower. Sir, please tell us clearly what you are thinking. I really cannot understand how we can make a tower that no one else can copy. My dear friend, we shall construct a tower that is very, very tall. So tall that it will touch the sky. A tower that will touch the sky? Really? You think we can do that? Of course we can. I have full faith and trust in the capabilities of my citizens. Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's start the planning right now. The people of the town became very excited. They were extremely proud of their town and were willing to do anything to make sure no other town could surpass them. They were ready to take on the challenge of executing such a difficult task. And soon the work on the tower started. Everyone did what they could. And very soon the tower had reached a great height. Look at that. What a marvelous structure. I don't think anyone can make something better than this. Yes, our beautiful town. How everyone will envy us. In the meanwhile, God was watching what was going on, and he was greatly distressed. That is indeed a wonderful town and tower, isn't it? Why do you seem so upset, God? You are only seeing the wonder of the town and tower, but you don't see how the people of the town have changed. They have become proud and vain. They have forgotten me and think that they do not need me anymore. They don't realize what is happening, and I have to stop this before it is too late. Yes, yes God. I see now how the people of this town are so proud of their achievements. I am going to put a stop to this. But how will you do that, God? Why have the people been able to create all this? Because there is an understanding and cooperation between them. But if that understanding and cooperation go away, they will not be able to do anything. I don't understand, God. What do you plan to do? Come and see what I am going to do. Suddenly, the people of the town became very confused. They couldn't understand what was happening. Everyone was uttering words which no one else could understand. What a sight it was! There was chaos everywhere. Everyone thought that the other person was babbling. There was utter frustration and confusion. How could anyone live together if they could not understand each other? As a result, it was not possible for them to work together also, so the construction of the famous tower was stopped. Soon, the town was no longer the beautiful place that the people had been so proud of. Also, since it was not possible for the people to live together harmoniously, they soon started drifting away to other places. It is said that this was how the different languages of the world evolved. God, now that tower will never get completed. It is good that it will never get completed. If the tower had been completed, the people would have become even more vain and proud. They would have forgotten me and gone against me, and that would have led to their self-destruction. This incomplete tower should be called the Tower of Babel, or confusion. And should be a lesson for all men.