Jim and Mary were both patients at a psychiatric hospital. One afternoon, while walking by the facility’s swimming pool, Jim suddenly leaped into the deep end and sank straight to the bottom.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Mary dove in after him, swam to the bottom, and dragged Jim out to safety.
When the medical director heard about Mary’s heroic and selfless act, he was thrilled. He concluded that her ability to react so rationally under pressure proved she was completely cured and ready to re-enter society.
The next morning, the director went to Mary’s room to deliver the news. “Mary, I have some good news and some bad news,” he said gently. “The good news is that we are discharging you today. Your brave rescue of another patient proved that you’ve fully regained your senses.”
He paused, his face falling. “The bad news is… Jim, the man you saved, apparently hanged himself with his bathrobe belt in the bathroom shortly afterward. I’m so sorry, but he’s dead.”
Mary looked at the director in total confusion and replied:
“Oh, he didn’t hang himself, Doctor. I just put him up there to dry!”
