In a small village, a severe storm caused floods that began to submerge the entire area. A priest was praying in his church as the water rose to his knees. A rescuer in a sampan (a small boat) approached the church and called out, "Father, come quickly! Otherwise, you will drown!" The priest replied, "No! I am confident God will save me. You go and save others."
Soon, the floodwaters reached the priest's chest as he stood on the altar. A police speedboat then arrived, and an officer urged, "Father, get in fast, or you really will drown!" The priest insisted, "No, I must stay with my church. I believe God will save me. You should save others."
After a while, the entire church was submerged. The priest had no choice but to cling firmly to the cross atop the church. A helicopter flew over, and the pilot lowered a rope ladder, shouting, "Father, climb up! This is your last chance. We don't want to see you drown!" The priest, strong-willed, declared, "No! I will stay with my church! God will save me. God is with me!" Finally, swept away by the flood, the stubborn priest drowned.
In heaven, the angry priest confronted God: "Lord, I devoted my life to serving You faithfully. Why did You refuse to help me?" God replied, "Refuse to help you? The first time, I sent a sampan to rescue you, but you refused, perhaps worried about its safety. The second time, I sent a speedboat, and you refused again. The third time, I sent a helicopter, but you were unwilling to accept help. So, I thought you were eager to return to my side to be with me."
In fact, many obstacles in life are caused by excessive stubbornness and ignorance.