A dark place, such as in the belly of a fish/whale.It is easy for a Sunday School teacher to work with the story of Jonah. Ask a student for an example the last time their parent told them to do something they did not want to do and they disobeyed. This progresses to dark feelings and dark times--which is what happened when Jonah told God he didn't want to do something. He landed in deep waters and ended up in a dark place. It took him about three days to "see the light" and understand obeying God (or a parent) brings one out of dark times.
I'm fine with not taking the bibles literally. That then goes with the confusion created in not accepting any of the bible as being literal.
Tell me? Was 'creation' not intended to be taken literally?
Would you like to move on to a mutual understanding that nothing about Christianity is intended to be believed as the literal word of your god? Nothing?
I'll propose that to be our starting point.
You may find that you can work with me on Deism?