The gentle humor of this wonderful tale of the bad-tempered prophet is given full reign here. Jonah’s flat refusal to preach the word of the Lord to the people of the wicked city of Nineveh leads to his upsetting an entire boat full of sailors, and being unceremoniously heaved overboard to be swallowed by a great fish. Even after accomplishing his task, Jonah remains as grumpy as ever, but God’s patience leads Jonah to understand the meaning of mercy.