Warning: For laughing only.

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In the year 2022 the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Frank Sound in the Cayman Islands and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing, along with a few good humans.”

He gave Noah the drawings, saying, “You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.” Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard- but no Ark.

“Noah!” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”

“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed. I needed Planning Board approval and a Certificate of Occupancy. I’ve been arguing with the Frank Sound Fire Department about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission for building the Ark in my yard because it is development of the site, even though in my view it is a temporary structure. We had to go to appeal to the Planning Tribunal for a decision. They now say my little shack built in the last war at Newlands is of cultural importance and of national heritage. Arising from this I cannot sell it as it is a protected building. Lord I am so frustrated as I need the money to pay for some old second-hand ironwood and mahogany that I got from two dilapidated shacks on North Church Street.”

“Then the Public Works Department and C.U.C. demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the North Sound. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. All the decent trees have Preservation Orders on them, and we live near the Mystic Trail in an area of Special Scientific Interest set up by the environmentalists in order to protect the Cayman Parrot. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the parrots – but no go!”

“When I started gathering the turtle’s, blue iguanas, and dem other animals, the RCIP commenced an investigation. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the D.O.E. ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.”

“I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Immigration Department on how many Caymanians I’m supposed to hire for my building team. They say I can’t use Cubans. They insist I have to hire only accredited workers with Ark-building experience. After the building of the Cimboco there were few Caymanians left with these skills and most of those are now with you oh Lord.”

“To make matters worse, the Port Authority seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. Paradoxically, Lord they will not let the poor Cubans land on our fair shores. I had a word with the new port director, Paul somebody but that was of little use.”

“Yesterday, It got even worse today the RCIP demanded to know where my monies had come from to buy the lumber from ATs. I explained it was from charitable sources such as the Rotary Club, but they did not believe me and have accused me of violating the Anti Money Laundering Laws. Consequently, they have frozen my bank account and are meeting my bank manager tomorrow. They think I have a tangled web of monies.”

“So, forgive me, Lord, but it would now take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.”

Suddenly there was a crashing of thunder and lightning but thereafter the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a beautiful rainbow stretched across the North Sound, from West Bay to Rum Point.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”

“No,” said the Lord. “The Cayman Government beat me to it.”