行刑时刻

鸭绒25（译）

2023年9月15日

在法国大革命的恐怖统治时期，有个早上要处决3名男子。一名拉比、一名天主教牧师，和一名理性怀疑论者。

拉比首先被带上断头台。面对斩刀，他被问到是否还有遗言。

拉比喊道：“我相信那位唯一的真神。他会拯救我。”

说完后，刽子手将拉比拖到在斩刀下方，把头部固定板套他的脖子上。然后，拉动绳索，启动那可怕的杀人工具。

沉重的斩刀从高处落下，连空气都感受到了剧痛。没想到的是，斩刀在受刑者脖子上方仅几英寸的地方突然就停了下来。

 因此，拉比说：“我说吧。真神会救我。”

“这真是个奇迹！”人们倒吸了一口凉气，议论纷纷。

刽子手只得作罢，放了拉比。

接下来，轮到天主教牧师。

当被问到他最后还想说什么时，牧师宣称：“我相信耶稣基督圣父、圣子，和圣灵。他会在我需要的时候挽救我。”

等他说完，刽子手也将他拉到斩刀下，拉动了绳子。

斩刀再次扑通一声向下飞去，并嗖嗖作响。……在距离目标仅寸步之遥时，斩刀又一次停下。

“又是一个奇迹！”失望的人们感叹道。

刽子手别无选择，只能释放了这第二名死刑犯。

现在轮到怀疑论者了。

“最后，你还有什么话要说？”刽子手问他。

但怀疑论者并没有听他问话。他全神贯注地盯着这架邪恶的死亡机器，似乎忘记了自己当时的处境。

直到刽子手戳了戳他的肋骨，又问了一遍，他才回答。

“哦。我明白你的问题了。”怀疑论者指着机器说，“齿轮组件被卡住了。就在那个位置！”

注：1，“法国大革命的统治时期”指的是1793年5月至1794年7月期间的雅各宾派专政。2，拉比（Rabbi）为犹太教法师。

原文：Awaiting to be Guillotined

During the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution，one morning's executions began with three men，a rabbi、a catholic priest，and a rationalist skeptic。

The rabbi was marched up onto the platform first。There，facing the guillotine，he was asked if he had any last words。

And the rabbi cried out：“I believe in the one and only true God，and He shall save me。”

The executioner then positioned the rabbi below the blade，set the block above his neck，and pulled the cord to set the terrible instrument in motion。

The heavy cleaver plunged downward，searing the air。But then，abruptly，it stopped with a crack just a few inches above the would-be victim's neck。

To which the rabbi said：“I told you so。”

“It's a miracle！”gasped the crowd。And the executioner had to agree，letting the rabbi go。

Next in line was the priest。

Asked for his final words，he declared：“I believe in Jesus Christ the Father、Son，and Holy Ghost who will rescue me in my hour of need。”

The executioner then positioned this man beneath the blade。And he pulled the cord。Again the blade flew downward thump！creak！……stopping just short of its mark once more。

“Another miracle！”sighed the disappointed crowd。

And the executioner for the second time had no choice but to let the condemned go free。

Now it was the skeptic's turn。

“What final words have you to say？”he was asked。

But the skeptic didn't hear。Staring intently at the ominous engine of death，he seemed lost。Not until the executioner poked him in the ribs and the question was asked again did he reply。

“Oh，I see your problem。”the skeptic said pointing，“You've got a blockage in the gear assembly，right there！”