首页 -> 2006年第22期

六根手指变出的魔术

作者：刘宇婷／译

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　　 大约10年前，我曾受邀给一群有天赋的小学生上了堂魔术表演课。因为我正是在幼年时对魔术和戏法产生兴趣的，所以希望借此机会把它传播给下一代。
　　 每个孩子都被分发了一个装有必备小道具的小包，包括扑克牌、铅笔、曲别针和橡皮筋。用橡皮筋变的魔术是把橡皮筋绕在两根手指上，然后让它“魔术般”地跳上另外两根手指。
　　 把这个戏法的技巧教给孩子们之后，我在小组间来回走动以确保每个人都理解这个方法。一个男孩走上前来对我说：“我弟弟变这个魔术有点困难。”
　　 我转身去帮助那个小家伙时，不禁被导致他“困难”的理由惊呆了：他的每只手仅有一根拇指和两根指头，而且即使这几个指头也扭曲变形得厉害！我的目光从这双手移向他的脸，以为会看到恼怒和沮丧……却只看到了快乐和希望。我和他一起把橡皮筋摆弄了5分钟，终于找到了一种方法，让他也能表演这个小魔术了——这更多地归功于他的决心而不是我的聪明。
　　 那堂课剩余的时间里，我一直留心观察这个小男孩。我清楚，对他来说有几个更复杂的戏法比第一个更具挑战性。他尝试了每一样东西，我惊讶地发现他竟能把戏法巧妙地变动使之适合自己表演。他的脸上始终洋溢着微笑，对于实在无法做到的事也从未表现出任何失望情绪。
　　 每当我对生活强加于身的种种限制感到心烦意乱时，就会想起那个小男孩和他不屈不挠的热情。我从不知道他的名字，却永远也不会忘记他。
　　（何永旭摘自《环球时报》）
　　
　　 About ten years ago I was invited to present a magic lesson to a group of gifted elementary-school children. I looked forward to the opportunity because my own interest in conjuring and sleight of hand was kindled at avery young age and I hoped to pass it along to another generation.
　　 Each of the children was supplied with a small package of necessary props, including playing cards, pencils, paper clips, and rubber bands. The magic trick with the rubber bands involved looping a band over two fingers and causing it to 'magically' jump to two different fingers.
　　 After I taught the children the workings of this trick, I circulated through the group to make sure that everyone understood the method. One boy came up to me and said "My little brother is having some trouble with this trick."
　　 I turned to help the younger boy, and I was shocked to see the cause of his difficulty:each of his hands had only two fingers and a thumb, and even those were twisted at awkward angles. I looked from his hands to his face, expecting to see anger and frustration... and saw only happiness and hope. I worked with him for five minutes with the rubber bands, and we eventually found a way to make the trick work for him -- more by his determination than by any cleverness on my part.
　　 Throughout the remainder of the class I kept my eye on this little boy.I knew that some of the more complex tricks would present him with even greater challenges than the first one had. He tried everything, and I was amazed to see how well he was able to adapt the manipulations to his own capabilities. He never lost his smile, and he never showed any disappointment over the things he simply could not do.
　　 When I start to chafe at the limitations life imposes, I think of that little boy and his indomitable enthusiasm. I never learned his name, but I'll never forget him.