[citation needed] Set in the Genesis flood narrative, Dave is a Nestrian, a brightly coloured aardvark-like creature whose only skills seems to be making comfortable nests and secreting a foul-smelling cloud of blue gas whenever he gets emotional.

Dave is constantly moving around searching for a place to stay, a real home, much to the despair of Finny, his son, who only wants to make friends.

With their use of some creative thinking, some Nestrian craftsmanship, and the involuntary help of Hazel and her daughter Leah, who are black wolf-like creatures called Grymps, they manage to sneak on the ark after all.

Eventually two more animals were also rejected from the ark to their ranks, as they meet Obesey the whale and his companion who is a squid-like parasite called Stayput.

When Dave tries to save Finny from drowning in the water, the plot twist is revealed: Nestrians are actually aquatic animals, perfectly able to breathe and swim while submerged.

It also includes Finny and Dave teaching Leah and Hazel how to swim, while the Griffins play a game of cards near a stack of fish inside Obesey's stomach.