The Legend of the Third Dove by Stefan Zweig. Short summary

5 seconds

The third dove from Noah’s ark still seeks peace today.

1 minute

After the Flood, Noah released the first dove from the ark. The bird was to see if dry land had appeared. The dove flew over the surface of the water, but found no land.

Seven days later the elder sent a second dove. It brought a twig of myrtle. This meant that the treetops were over the water.

After another week, Noah sent out a third dove. It flew and admired the green woods. In one of them he stopped, forgetting Noah and the ark.

The dove was immortal like all animals and birds that existed before the flood. He fell asleep in the forest and slept for many years.

One day the dove woke up and saw people killing each other, shooting monstrous machines. The earth was at war.

The pigeon flew above the earth and searched for peace. So it flies to this day.

And the whole world is waiting for someone to stretch out his blessed hand and the ordeal of humanity to end.