Why does Gilgamesh want to find Utnapishtim?

Following the tragic death of his best friend, Enkidu, Gilgamesh becomes aware of his own
mortality and fears dying. Gilgamesh knows that the gods have granted Utnapishtim immortality
and travels to the ends of the earth to discover the secret to attaining eternal life. After
Gilgamesh petitions Ur-Shanabi to ferry him across the waters of death, he finally meets
Utnapishtim and asks him how to attain immortality. Utnapishtim explains to Gilgamesh how the
gods granted him eternal life for building an ark and surviving the Great Flood. When the waters
eventually subsided, the god Ea granted Utnapishtim immortality. He then explains
to...