It is at this point in the poem that Gilgamesh begins to become very afraid of the afterlife and begins his quest for immortality. He sets out to find Utnapishtim, who was granted eternal life by the gods after the great flood of Mesopotamia. Gilgamesh hopes that Utnapishtim has the answers he needs to gain eternal life. After overcoming many obstacles, the weary Gilgamesh finally reaches Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh the story of the flood and why he was granted immortality. The Gods intended to destroy humanity. Ea, the god of wisdom, informed Utnapishtim of the flood and encouraged him to build a boat and fill it with his family and the seed of every living creature. Utnapishtim did exactly that, and he and his gathered creatures managed to survive the flood. The Gods regretted the damage they had caused and were grateful that Utnapishtim had saved so many people. For this reason he was granted eternity