4. 同時我聽到可怕的爆炸聲，我奮力把車停在雨滑的路肩
想到整個情況便愕然不知所措，我不可能獨立換下爆胎
完全不可能。
In the same instant I heard the dreaded bang of a blowout. I fought the car to a stop on the
rain-slick shoulder of the road and sat there as the enormity of the situation swept over me.
It was impossible for me to change that tire! Utterly impossible!
5. 因為我的運動神經受到感染，病情逐漸惡化，起先是感染
到右手右腳，然後是另一邊，雖然生病，但是車上裝了特別
器具的輔助，我還是一樣開車上下班。
Because I became afflicted with a slowly progressive disease of the motor
nerves, affecting first my right arm and leg, and then my other side...In
spite of my disease I still drove to and from work each day, with the aid of
special equipment installed in my car.
7. 我知道連我自己都不會停，然後我記起路邊不遠處有棟房子，
於是我發動車子，緩緩砰然前進，開進泥土地。
I knew I wouldn't! Then I remembered that a short distance up a
little side road was a house. I started the engine and thumped
slowly along, keeping well over on the shoulder until I came to the
dirt road, where I turned in …
8. 幸運地，房子的燈光正歡迎我，我開進車道，按了喇叭，
有個小女孩開了門，站在那裡看著我。
…- thankfully. Lighted windows welcomed me to the
house and I pulled into the driveway and honked the horn.
The door opened and a little girl stood there, peering at
me.
10. 他進入屋內，一會兒出來時裹著雨衣，戴雨帽，後面跟著
一個男人，愉快地跟我打招呼。
She went into the house and a moment later came out
bundled in raincoat and hat, followed by a man who called
a cheerful greeting.
11. 舒適而乾爽地坐在車內，覺得在暴風雨中奮鬥的男人和
小女孩很可憐，沒關係，我會付錢給她們。
I sat there comfortable and dry, and felt a bit sorry for
the man and the little girl working so hard in the storm.
Well, I would pay them for it.
12. 雨勢稍減，我搖下車窗看換胎過程，他們似乎動作很慢，
我開始有點不耐煩。 The rain seemed to be slackening a bit now, and I rolled down the window
all the way to watch. It seemed to me that they were awfully slow and I was
beginning to become impatient.
13. 我聽到車的後邊，傳來金屬的清脆碰撞聲和女孩的聲音：
「爺爺，這是千斤頂手把。」老人低聲含糊地回答。
I heard the clank of metal from the back of the car and the little girl's voice
came clearly to me. "Here's the jack-handle, Grandpa." She was answered
by the murmur of the man's lower voice …
14. 車子慢慢被頂了上來，接下來是一連串的聲響，搖動及
車後低聲的對話，最後終於完工了，千斤頂移開時，我感到
車子撞到地面，接著行李箱門關閉的聲音。
…and the slow tilting of the car as it was jacked up. There followed a long
interval of noises, jolts and low conversation from the back of the car, but
finally it was done. I felt the car bump as the jack was removed, and I
heard the slam of the trunk lid, ….
15. 他們就站在車窗口，老人有點嶇僂，寬大雨衣下的他，
看起來很虛弱，小女孩大概八歲或十歲他往上看我時
快樂的臉龐帶著微笑！ … and then they were standing at my car window.
He was an old man, stooped and frail-looking under his slicker. The little
girl was about 8 or 10, I judged, with a merry face and a wide smile as she
looked up at me.
16. 他說：
「這樣的天氣，車子出毛病很糟糕，不過，都修理好了。」
「謝謝」，我說：「那我該付你多少錢呢？」
He said, "This is a bad night for car trouble, but you're all set now."
"Thanks," I said, "thanks. How much do I owe you?"
20. 接下來幾秒鐘，我只感到羞愧和震驚，我從未有過那種強烈的感覺，
一個盲人和小孩，在黑暗中用濕冷的手指，去摸索螺栓和工具。
In the next few frozen seconds the shame and horror of that moment
penetrated, and I was sick with an intensity I had never felt before. A blind
man and a child! Fumbling, feeling with cold, wet fingers for bolts and tools
in the dark ...
21. 而他的盲眼所帶來的黑暗，恐怕至死才能終止，他們卻仍願幫我在
風雨中更換輪胎，而我卻坐在暖活舒適的車中。
….- a darkness that for him would probably never end until death.
They changed a tire for me - changed it in the rain and wind, with me sitting in snug comfort in
the car with my crutch.
24. 我了解到以前的自己，心中只充滿了自憐，自私，對別人的需要
很冷漠，不體諒別人，我坐在那兒禱告，謙卑的祈求力量。
I realized that I was filled to overflowing with self-pity, selfishness,
indifference to the needs of others and thoughtlessness. I sat there
and said a prayer. In humility I prayed for strength, ….
25. 祈求更能瞭解與透徹洞悉自己的缺點，也祈求信心，以克服這些缺點
…. for a greater understanding, for keener awareness of my shortcomings and for
faith to continue asking in daily prayer for spiritual help to overcome them.
33. 遇到困難不能自認殘障，因為還有很多人更需要您的幫忙。
Try not to see only your own handicap in times of difficulty, because there’re so many
people who are more needy of help. Isn’t it?
May God bless you with peace and joy.
Notes de l'éditeur
It was raining when I started home that night; gusty winds and slashing rain beat down on the car…
… as I drove slowly down one of the less-traveled roads. Suddenly the steering wheel jerked in my hands and the car swerved violently to the right.
In the same instant I heard the dreaded bang of a blowout. I fought the car to a stop on the rain-slick shoulder of the road and sat there as the enormity of the situation swept over me. It was impossible for me to change that tire! Utterly impossible!
Because I became afflicted with a slowly progressive disease of the motor nerves, affecting first my right arm and leg, and then my other side...In spite of my disease I still drove to and from work each day, with the aid of special equipment installed in my car.
A thought that a passing motorist might stop was dismissed at once. Why should anyone?
I knew I wouldn't! Then I remembered that a short distance up a little side road was a house. I started the engine and thumped slowly along, keeping well over on the shoulder until I came to the dirt road, where I turned in …
… - thankfully. Lighted windows welcomed me to the house and I pulled into the driveway and honked the horn. The door opened and a little girl stood there, peering at me.
I rolled down the window and called out that I had a flat and needed someone to change it for me because I had a crutch and couldn't do it myself.
She went into the house and a moment later came out bundled in raincoat and hat, followed by a man who called a cheerful greeting.
I sat there comfortable and dry, and felt a bit sorry for the man and the little girl working so hard in the storm. Well, I would pay them for it.
The rain seemed to be slackening a bit now, and I rolled down the window all the way to watch. It seemed to me that they were awfully slow and I was beginning to become impatient.
I heard the clank of metal from the back of the car and the little girl's voice came clearly to me. "Here's the jack-handle, Grandpa." She was answered by the murmur of the man's lower voice …
… and the slow tilting of the car as it was jacked up. There followed a long interval of noises, jolts and low conversation from the back of the car, but finally it was done. I felt the car bump as the jack was removed, and I heard the slam of the trunk lid, ….
… and then they were standing at my car window. He was an old man, stooped and frail-looking under his slicker. The little girl was about 8 or 10, I judged, with a merry face and a wide smile as she looked up at me.
He said, "This is a bad night for car trouble, but you're all set now." "Thanks," I said, "thanks. How much do I owe you?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. Cynthia told me you were a cripple - on crutches. Glad to be of help. I know you'd do the same for me. There's no charge, friend."
I held out a five-dollar bill. "No! I like to pay my way."
He made no effort to take it and the little girl stepped closer to the window and said quietly, "Grandpa can't see it."
In the next few frozen seconds the shame and horror of that moment penetrated, and I was sick with an intensity I had never felt before. A blind man and a child! Fumbling, feeling with cold, wet fingers for bolts and tools in the dark ...
… .- a darkness that for him would probably never end until death. They changed a tire for me - changed it in the rain and wind, with me sitting in snug comfort in the car with my crutch.
(Who is handicap ped?)
I don't remember how long I sat there after they said good night and left me, but it was long enough for me to search deep within myself and find some disturbing traits.
I realized that I was filled to overflowing with self-pity, selfishness, indifference to the needs of others and thoughtlessness. I sat there and said a prayer. In humility I prayed for strength, ….
… . for a greater understanding, for keener awareness of my shortcomings and for faith to continue asking in daily prayer for spiritual help to overcome them.
I prayed for blessings upon the blind man and his granddaughter.
Finally I drove away, shaken in mind, humbled in spirit.
(Who is handicapped? Something to ponder upon deeply )
(I wish to share with you great music and article as food for thought.)
I believe this is what friends are for.
Friends should keep in contact with and care for each other.
It’s even better that friends share with and encourage each others.
Try not to see only your own handicap in times of difficulty, because there’re so many people who are more needy of help. Isn’t it? May God bless you with peace and joy.
