Gilgamesh Tablet XI

Utnapishtim's story of how he became immortal I found very interesting. His sounds almost like Noah and the Ark only there's a few differences such as the setting, different gods, the orders he was given is slightly different, and there are others I won't name. Did the original author of Gilgamesh get the idea from the story of Noah I wonder?

Something interesting I found was how the New Year's holiday was known to the people of Shuruppak. I only thought of it as being a more modern holiday. I never imagined the people of Shuruppak would celebrate this. Unless the New Year's holiday is a translation or a better explained name for a holiday they celebrated that was similar to the festival. Hmm.

What I don't understand is why after the god said to Utnapishtim to not bring what he possesses or his riches and only worry about his life but still brought them anyways (his gold and silver). Why the gods did not become angry? He disobeyed them yet they still helped him save his life. Maybe the meaning of riches is different and means something else?

The plant called How-the-Old-Man-Once-Again-Becomes-a-Young-Man is a very original and strange name for a plant I say. I question who placed the flower at the bottom of the sea and named it that very long original of a name. And how does a flower survive under all that pressure from the water? It must again be another thing that was created by the gods for quest purposes.
I feel sorry for Gilgamesh. The strange flower was only a sign to abandon his quest. He has gone through many things, but now he is back to Uruk and will again take his place as King and rule the people. As for the boatman, why did he come back with Gilgamesh? Is he going to become the King's new brotherly companion?