"Why so serious?"

[Frisk E. Coyote]

It is pouring rain in the flood plain of Mississippi Valley, and the rising river begins to threaten homes, including that of the local preacher.

When the water floods the ground floor, a rowboat with police comes by, and the officer shouts, "Let us evacuate you! The water level is getting dangerous!"

The preacher replies, "No thank you, I am a righteous man who trusts in the Almighty, and I am confident he will deliver me."

Three hours go by, and the rains intensify, at which point the preacher is forced up to the second floor of his house. A second police rowboat comes by, and the officer shouts, "Now let us evacuate you! The water level is getting too dangerous!"

The preacher replies, "No thank you, I am a righteous man who trusts in the Almighty, and I am confident he will deliver me."

The rain keeps coming, and the preacher is forced up onto the roof of his house. A helicopter flies over and lowers a rope. The officer on board shouts down, "Please, grab the rope and we'll pull you up! We're in terrible danger!"

The preacher replies, "No thank you, I am a righteous man who trusts in the Almighty, and I am confident he will deliver me."

The deluge continues. The preacher is swept off the roof, carried away in the current, and drowns. He goes up to heaven, and at the pearly gates he is admitted and comes before God.

The preacher asks, "Dear Lord, I don't understand. I've been a righteous and observant person my whole life, and I depended on you to save me in my hour of need. Where were you?"

And the Lord answers, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter! What more do you want!?"