The clouds were growing dark. The ark was almost finished. As Noah pounded in the very last nail, he prepared to welcome all of the animals that had gathered to board the ark. Two by two they climbed in: the giraffes the orangutans the ladybugs, the peacocks, the howler monkeys. Every species and subspecies!

Finally, everyone was on board. Noah looked to make sure he had checked off every pair from his roster. Oh no! The termites! Did he forget to check them off?

“Attention! Attention!” called Noah. “Does anyone see the termites? Did the termites make it on board?” 

All the animals looked around at each other with guilty faces. Then the lion stepped forward. “We all decided the termites would not be allowed on the ark. What if they did as termites naturally do and ate a hole in the hull of the ark, dooming us all?”

“Did anyone speak to the termites about this?” asked Noah

“Well, no,” the lion admitted. “We just thought it was obvious. Who would get on the ark knowing the termites were there?”

The wind began to blow. Noah rushed off of the ark and cried out for the termites.  Timidly, they peeked out from under a leaf.

“It’s OK, Mr. Noah. We understand why no one wants us aboard. They’re afraid of us.” 

Noah looked at the little termites kindly, If you join us on the ark, are you planning to gnaw a hole in the side?”

“Of course not!” came the shocked reply. “Isn’t it true that you’re providing food for all of the animals on the ark?” 

“Why, yes,” said Noah, “We have a store of wood chips all ready for you. I don’t think the other animals realized that. They simply assumed that you would cause the ship to sink.”

“Oh my goodness!” cried the termites. “We would never do anything to put the ark and everything on it in jeopardy. Yes, our food is wood and yes, the ark is made of wood, but with alternative sources of food… no, no! We were looking forward to getting to know all the other animals, but they told us we weren’t allowed aboard.”

“They are wrong,” Noah assured the termites. Had they had only bothered to speak to you first they would know that you are not a threat. I will explain everything to the rest of the animals. And shame on them for assuming.”

The termites jumped onto Noah’s shoulder and he walked them back to the ark. When he had secured the door, he called all the animals to attention. “We now have a full compliment of all animals, including our good friends, the termites.”

“What????” they all gasped together,”the termites?”

“Yes, the termites’ food is wood, and yes, the ark is made of wood, but we are providing the termites with wood chips so that they will have enough to eat. They would never have dreamed of sinking the ark. We all need to ask their forgiveness.”

All the other animals hung their heads in shame. The lion ruffled up his magnificent mane and said humbly, “Please forgive us, dear termites. We were foolish to have assumed you would be a danger.”

“Let’s find you a good spot on the ark and make sure your wood chips are plentiful!” said Noah.

The termites were relieved. “We accept your apology and look forward to getting to know everybody!” 

At that, the first rain drop began to fall. “Our adventure is beginning,” whispered Noah.