Old Mrs.
Watkins awoke one spring morning
to find that the river had flooded the
entire first floor of her
house. Looking out of her window, she saw
that the water was still
rising.
Two men passing by on a rowboat shouted up an invitation
to row to
safety with them. „No, thank you,“ Mrs. Watkins replied.
„The Lord will
provide.“ The men shrugged and rowed on.
By
evening, the water level forced Mrs. Watkins to climb on top of the
roof for safety. She was spotted by a man in a motorboat, who offered
to pick her up. „Don’t trouble yourself,“ she told him. „The Lord
will provide.“
Pretty soon, Mrs. Watkins had to seek refuge
atop the chimney. When a
Red Cross cutter came by on patrol, she
waved it on, shouting, „The
Lord will provide.“
So the boat
left, the water rose and the old woman drowned.
Dripping wet and
thoroughly annoyed, she came through the pearly gates
and demande
d to speak to God. „What happened?“ she cried.
„For cryin‘ out
loud, lady,“ God said, „I sent three boats!“
