Final answer:
Water became important in religious narratives due to its symbolic and practical significance in different cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water became an important element in religious narratives for various reasons. In ancient Egypt, the Nile River's predictable flooding brought valuable deposits of sediment, giving Egyptians a sense of harmony and order in the world. The flooding also played a role in the development of the concept of Ma'at, which represented order, truth, justice, and balance. In Mesopotamia, the unpredictable flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was seen as a result of the gods' actions, and people believed they needed to appease the gods through sacrifices and worship to avoid devastation. Additionally, water was essential for rituals and purification in many religious traditions, symbolizing cleansing and renewal.