Chapter 12 Summary

Lying in his hammock on the further shore of the Bitter River, Utnapishtim spots Urshanabi along with an unknown personage. The wife of Utnapishtim reports that it is a young man, thin and haggard, but otherwise like to she and her husband - a similarity Gilgamesh attempts to play on when he finally crawls ashore, but he is rebuked by the haughty Utnapishtim who expresses disgust at the traveler's ragged clothes and degraded appearance. He demands to know the stranger's identity and how he came to be there.

Gilgamesh explains that he is King of Uruk who has traveled a vast distance to ask Utnapishtim, his ancestor, a question. Utnapishtim is displeased - he promises to punish the boatman who aided Gilgamesh on his journey.

Gilgamesh explains his situation to his ancestor - the loss of his friend Enkidu, his quest for the...