Reagan in Stitches, Shultz Hopes

CANBERRA, Australia —  Secretary of State George P. Shultz said Sunday that he sent President Reagan two personal messages, one before and one after his intestinal operation Saturday.

En route here from Perth, Shultz declined to disclose the contents of the first message, saying only that “it was very humorous, I thought.”

In the second note, he said, “I told the President he did not need two boats and a helicopter.”

As Shultz explained it, a favorite Reagan joke is about a man who is forced to the roof of his house by rising flood waters. When a boat comes to save him, he refuses to leave.

“I’ll place my faith in the Lord,” he says.

A second, larger boat offers rescue, but again the man rejects help, citing his faith in the Lord. A helicopter comes, but yet again the man refuses, again citing his faith in the Lord.

He drowns. When he gets to heaven, he complains loudly to God that he placed his faith in him only to be disappointed. To which God says:

“But I sent you two boats and a helicopter.”

Shultz’s message was intended to compliment Reagan on surviving the operation without the need for two boats and a helicopter.